U.S. Rep. Michael Turner is waging a commendable fight on Capitol Hill on Wilmington’s behalf by supporting federal funding in the amount of $250,000 for the restoration of the city’s historic Murphy Theatre. The Murphy restoration is one of four projects in Turner’s Congressional district that he is attempting to be included in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2010. The other three are $400,000 for upgrades to the Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority bus fleet, $400,000 to stir redevelopment in the Salem Avenue area of Dayton, and $250,000 to support the Wright-Dunbar Economic Redevelopment Project’s work to prepare historic buildings in that Dayton neighborhood for business occupancy.

Funds for the Murphy Theatre are sorely needed to continue restoration of Wilmington’s historic downtown theatre. The restoration work will include replacing the 50-year-old boiler heating system, repairing the roof and performing electrical work.

The congressman rightly points out that the Murphy has been a cornerstone of the Wilmington for over 90 years. The federal funding would support the strong commitment the Wilmington community has made over the years to upgrade the Murphy, and its continuing support of the many entertaining shows and events that are held there each year. The Murphy truly is a community center in addition to being a focal point of Wilmington’s cultural activities.

In order to keep alive funding for the Murphy, Turner had to fight off an attempt to kill the funding by Arizona Congressman Jeff Flake. We congratulate Turner for successfully defending his request for funding that the Murphy and the Wilmington community needs and deserves. The House’s legislation now must be reconciled with the Senate version before going to President Obama for his signature. Hopefully, funding for the Murphy will survive the process.