First it was a luncheon, then a beer festival, a rotary meeting, a professional wrestling bout and a Day of the Dead dance party the Astoria Event Center is open and accommodating almost any event.

Cyndi Mudge, organizer of the Astoria Sunday Market, manages the property for owners Mitch Mitchum and RoseMarie Paavola, who hope to develop an all-inclusive center that will revitalize the western reaches of downtown.

Former owner Fred Van Horn, also owner of the Merry Time Tavern, was forced into a sale of the building by his bank, said Mitchum, and Luottamus Partners, LLC, purchased it in August. The partnership now includes nine properties, including the Sanborn Building, for which the two won the 2010 Dr. Edward Harvey Historic Preservation Award for its refurbishment.

Mitchum said hes interested in adding more lighting to the former Shipyard restaurant and possibly incorporating murals on the buildings exterior.

People really didnt know the location was here, said Paavola, who credits Van Horn with extensive improvements to the building bleacher seating, the adjacent bars large commercial kitchen, projector screen, surround sound, etc. Now people are calling left and right.

The first event to come calling was the Oregon Main Street Conference, which held a luncheon in the center and a presentation on historical buildings. The Pacific Northwest Brew Cup, beset by a coastal gale, sought shelter at the event center and Ninth Street outside.

The 4,000-square foot event center, located at 894 Commercial St., includes room for 200 people at a banquet, more than 300 for receptions, a stage, space for caterers, projector screens, a sound system and more than 100 booth and balcony seating spaces.

The center rents out up to six hours for $500 Friday through Sunday and $300 for up to four hours Monday through Thursday. The fees include the use of room, sound/audio system, tables, chairs and one on-site staff member. Mudge said she helps promote events and gives discounts to local business organizations such as the chamber and downtown association.

Mudge said its nice for Astoria to have two major event centers the Liberty Theater for more formal occasions, and the event center for a menagerie of community gatherings.

Its a very underutilized part of town, said Mudge, whos been trying to reconnect with former tenants of the event center and entice more locals. Id like to see parties and dances here, a lot more music. I think once we have more regular activity, that will pull more people into the neighborhood.

Mudge takes reservations for the space at www.astoriaeventcenter.com, a new website for the center. It lists floor plans, amenities, rates, upcoming events and other services and provides a sign-up form for rental.

Van Horn owned the Shipyard and the Merry Time, two bars a block apart, until the former closed six months ago.

Mitchum said Luottamus will go in a different direction. We want someone with more of a food focus, said Mitchum of the former Shipyard space. Were landlords. We dont operate. We want someone with experience.

Paavola described the restaurant as a turnkey lease, with all the equipment ready to go and a large commercial kitchen to work in.