The Rex has been closed to commercial use since the early 1990s. But soon renovation work will begin on the interior and contractors say the entire project should take six months.

The folks at Harvest Church bought the 1910 structure in 2012 and has begun a $1.7 million effort to bring the venue back to life.

Harvest has met in movie theaters since its founding in 1996 by Pastor Bobby Lepinay. Currently the church hosts services at the Carmike on Bayou Boulevard. And while they will use the Rex for Sunday services, the building will be open for secular events as well.

Once the Rex is spiffed up and ready for her close-up, it will be welcomed addition to the landscape of Palafox Street, which is itself seeing a renaissance. Project manager Josh Stewart joined us on "Progress+Promise" to talk about the project.