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WHEELING - The Capitol Theatre sat dark as 2009 began, just as it had since May 2007 when Wheeling fire inspectors uncovered 23 fire code violations and LiveNation shuttered the facility.

As the year comes to a close, however, the historic venue now hosts holiday events, Broadway shows and a diverse collection of musical acts.

"We've come a long way in a year," said Dennis Magruder, who, in his role as executive director of the Greater Wheeling Sports and Entertainment Authority, is charged with operating the theater. "The community now controls the destiny of this theater."

In February, Wheeling-Ohio County Convention and Visitor's Bureau Executive Director Frank O'Brien announced that the bureau would acquire the theater for $615,000. The bureau secured a $1.5 million loan that will be repaid with hotel/motel tax collections in the city.

Under the operating arrangement, the CVB owns the Capitol, while the sports and entertainment authority manages and books events for the venue. City and community leaders touted the Capitol's purchase as a key step in the revitalization of downtown Wheeling.

The remaining portion of the $1.5 million loan is being used to renovate and improve the venue that LiveNation closed because of the 23 fire code violations, which included the lack of adequate sprinkler systems and fire escapes. Throughout the spring and summer, officials worked to fix and clean the historic theater, even selling some vintage memorabilia during a "Capitol Garage Sale."

Officials spent $367,000 to install a fire sprinkler system and $147,000 to install fire alarms, as well as exit and emergency lighting.

Officials used these funds to set up 674 fire sprinkler heads, 3.6 miles of water pipe, 80 smoke detectors, 60 emergency lights, 58 exit signs and one deluge sprinkler system for the stage area.

Additional spending included $12,385 for roof repairs; $18,112 for facade cleaning; $31,119 for demolition; and $161,987 for architectural, engineering and environmental services.

Wheeling City Council directed $396,522 in Community Development Block Grant money to renovate the Capitol's restrooms to allow them to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The new restrooms - under construction in the area of the facility's former gift shop - should soon open.

As the time of the September reopening show drew near, about 170 volunteers showed up to help paint, clean and restore the venue to its prior glory.

Finally, on Sept. 23, the curtain went up on the legendary stage where country music legends such as Doc Williams, Johnny Cash and Charley Pride once performed. Roughly 2,000 guests attended the free re-opening show, during which "The Wheeling Cat," Slim Lehart, fell to his knees to kiss the floor.

"This stage is the second most famous stage in country music history," Lehart said after kissing the stage three times during his set, noting the Capitol would play second fiddle only to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn.

The Wheeling Symphony Orchestra returned to its longtime home just two days later on Sept. 25. The orchestra was forced to spend its two previous seasons playing at various venues, including the John Marshall Center for the Performing Arts in Glen Dale.

The Capitol's re-opening hasn't come without some controversy. Less than two weeks after the venue opened, Wheeling City Council members clashed over the responsibility for the venue during a finance committee meeting. The disagreement arose regarding expense reports furnished by the CVB.

Councilman James Tiu said a paragraph in the operating agreement between the sports and entertainment authority and the Convention and Visitor's Bureau led him to believe the city's taxpayers could be forced to pay for potential operating losses at the Capitol.

"We have taken on all liability for $1 per year," Tiu said, noting the bureau is required to pay the authority $1 per year for its services.

Vice Mayor Eugene Fahey, however, strongly disagreed with Tiu's assessments.

Eventually, O'Brien said the CVB's board members agreed to exchange financial audits with the authority in 2010. Under the original terms of the Capitol operational contract between the two bodies, only the authority needed to provide an audit to the bureau.

"We are going to give City Council all the financial information they want," he said.

Moving forward into the new year, Magruder knows there is still much work to do.

"We have to keep going with the renovations. ... We have to look at adding national touring shows to our slate," he said.

"We've had to start out slow, but we hope to keep growing," Magruder added.

The coming year looks promising so far, as Jerry Seinfeld has booked an act there and several other Broadway performances are scheduled.