A redesign of the Penn Theater is in the works now that a deal has been closed between its buyer and the nonprofit foundation that held a loan on the historic landmark. Butler Eagle file photo

A redesign of the Penn Theater is in the works now that a deal has been closed between its buyer and the nonprofit foundation that held a loan on the historic landmark.

Bryan Frenchak, a former Butler resident who lives in Houston, closed on an agreement to buy the theater from Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation the day before Thanksgiving. He said he agreed to pay $65,000 for the theater, and already has crews in the wings to work on the building.

He also said some of the major structural work will take place in January and February, and crews will work on utilities after that.

“Our hopes are maybe by September, we can get things up and running,” Frenchak said.

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