About $80,000 has been raised to pay for the first phase since the school board approved the project a year ago, said Mitch Levitt, a member of the group that proposed the project.

"It's exciting to finally be at this point and to have this been a totally self-funded project," he said.

Along with Levitt, other principles in developing the project have been Fred Muccio, Mark Snider, Scott McLean and GHHS principal Jesse Truett.

The first phase of the work will include repainting the auditorium, applying acoustical treatment to the auditorium's hard surface walls and installing new audio-visual equipment, including a projector for computers with a motorized on-stage screen and new microphones and speakers.

The carpeting in the auditorium will also be replaced.

"Putting in the A/V equipment is a key part of the project because one of the most common complaints about the auditorium you hear from people is that depending on where you sit, you can't hear," Levitt said. "This project will solve that problem and make the auditorium a more user-friendly facility."

The new technology will also allow the auditorium to be used for educational purposes, he said.

The first phase work will begin the week of Nov. 23 and should be completed in time for the holiday choral concert on Dec. 17-18, Levitt said. The work will primarily be completed by Live Technologies.

The bulk of the funds for the first phase has been contributed by the Grandview Heights High School Alumni Association, Northwest Kiwanis, Grandview Heights/Marble Cliff Education Foundation, Bobcat Boosters and Thomas Sutphen.

"We really appreciate their support because we couldn't do this project without their financial help," Levitt said.

The second phase of the project will involve restoring the wooden chairs in the auditorium, he said.

Each chair's seat, back and arms will be stripped and refinished and the metal frames repainted. Padding will be added to the seat and front of the chair back, Levitt said.

The last two rows of floor seats on both sides will be removed and platforms with rails will be added to provide wheelchair seating, he said.

The second phase would cost about $150,000, Levitt said.

A potential third phase would address the lighting needs of the auditorium, Levitt said.

A flier giving details about an Adopt-a-Chair fundraiser is being sent to community members, he said. An individual or group can "adopt" a chair in the auditorium with a $250 donation.

Other contributions to the auditorium project can be made by calling the high school office at 481-3620.

afroman@thisweeknews.com