PORT GAMBLE ­— The empty Port Gamble theater echoes with long forgotten plays. Lines delivered with passion, happiness, sorrow and anger seem to whisper in the empty room.

The theater over the post office has been vacant for years, but is among one of many buildings and areas the town’s owner, Olympic Property Group, hopes to revamp during the second phase of its plan to revitalize Port Gamble.

On its way, OPG will be keeping the public apprised on the progress as evidenced by scheduling an open house from 6-9 p.m. May 24 at Kingston Junior High.

“The open house we’re having is all about tomorrow,” said Jon Rose, president of OPG.

After winning a fight to change Port Gamble’s status from rural to urban, which Rose said will assist development, OPG is ready to start getting feedback from the community on what it would like to see in the picturesque town.

“Jon and I have been here 10 years,” said OPG project manager Sue Schroader, adding that they realize the importance of changing and developing a town like Port Gamble.

“We waited five years before contracting planners so that we could get to know the town,” Rose said. “This town is a distinguished old gentleman. We needed to find themes that fit with that.”

The short-term plan OPG initially laid out has pretty much concluded. It included creating a healthier town, drawing in new businesses that would add to the feel of Port Gamble and helping establish it as an exciting place for various events, such as weddings, celebrations and meetings.

Looking to the future, Rose mentioned many different long-term ideas for the community ranging from schools, museums, theaters and new parks to science labs, hotels and restaurants.

The newest sign in Port Gamble is an espresso sign, Rose said. Historic Grounds is the town’s newest building in 80 years and was placed right next to the gas station, whose appearance in the 1920s signaled the beginning of what Rose called the decline of Port Gamble.

“The gas station contributed to the downfall of Port Gamble when it was built,” Rose said. “Soon people could commute to work at the mill, they didn’t have to live in town. This caused the decline of many small towns.”

Port Gamble was founded when Pope & Talbot built the mill in 1853. The owners were looking for a good timber source, and found it in the Puget Sound’s abundant forests. Because those who were brought to Port Gamble to work were primarily New Englanders, Port Gamble developed into a New England themed town to make the workers and their families feel at home. Rose and OPG are striving to keep that same feel now, as they look to expand the town.

Port Gamble is now one of the few historical sites in the National Register, Rose said, and because of that, OPG has to develop the area very carefully.

“There used to be a great hotel here,” said Jim Brein, who is doing the public relations for the project. “Recreating the town as it was is important.”

“This is the most fun thing I’ve ever worked on,” Rose said, explaining that because of Port Gamble’s uniqueness, the project is going to be much more creative.

As for who should attend the May 24 meeting, a wide section of the public is being sought.

“We want the stakeholders’ opinions at the beginning,” Schroader said, adding that getting input from those who live in or near the town is important.

While admitting that since the mill closed in 1995, the town has struggled to keep its head above water, “Port Gamble looks better than ever,” Rose said.

He is hoping that with the long term plan comes success and a revitalization of Port Gamble, including the Port Gamble theater.

“It would be such a great space for plays,” Rose said, adding that he can’t wait to start getting it ready for new productions in the future.