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Renovations
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September 10, 2004
Flint Capitol Theatre Update
FLINT, MI — The following message was sent in by Gary Flinn:
“FYI, here is an update of the Capitol Theatre repairs. Now that the brickwork is repaired on the east wall of the auditorium, the bricklayers have started work on the west wall of the auditorium along Brush Alley.
Most of the water damaged bricks have been removed from the wall and they are about ready to put up the new bricks. On Brush Alley, there are pallets of replacement brick and large bags of mortar along with a cement mixer."
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September 9, 2004
Hollywood and Grenada Theaters Under Contract
PITTSBURGH, PA — Borden Vaughan Development has taken the Hollywood Theatre, located in the Dormont Shopping District of Pittsburgh, and the Grenada Theater, located in Beaver Falls, off the market and are awaiting inspections and feasibility studies prior to their purchase.
Plans are in the works to put the two theaters on the National Registry of Historic Places, and convert them to a restaurant/bar movie format. Traditional seating will be phased out and replaced with couches, tables, and home theater seating. Concessions will also be unconventional with ideas including a coffee bar, a gelato shop, and gourmet pizza.
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September 6, 2004
Capitol Theatre Repairs Underway
FLINT, MI — Necessary and long-delayed repairs to the Capitol Theatre building have begun with the removal of loose bricks on the east exterior wall of the auditorium to be replaced by new brickwork.
The water damage now being repaired is due to runoff of rain water from the auditorium’s roof over time. Other repairs planned include fixing the theater’s vertical sign which is original to the theater but was altered in the 1957 remodeling of the theater.
This project was planned for several months and was earlier reported in a March 29 story in Cinema Treasures.
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Roxie Theater Sign Gets Help
LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles Conservancy will help refurbish and restore seven historic Broadway structures, including the fronts of vaudeville-era theaters like the 1931 Roxie, according to the Los Angeles Downtown News.
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August 25, 2004
Count Basie
RED BANK, NJ — The Count Basie Theatre reopened last week after a $1 million renovation that brought new seats to the 78-year-old former movie house.
For more information, read the Asbury Park Press, 1010 WINS, and Independent articles.
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August 19, 2004
Lincoln Square Theatre Receives $1.75M Grant
DECATUR, IL — The first half of a $3.5 million State of Illinois “Illinois First” grant earmarked for the renovation of downtown Decatur’s historic Lincoln Square Theatre has arrived.
The Board of the Lincoln Square Theatre has been waiting since 2002 to receive the funding from the State of Illinois. Carla Brinkoetter, president of the board of directors of Lincoln Square Theatre, Inc,, said the theatre will have 24 months to spend the grant funds, with another $1.75 million promised once the first half of the grantis spent.
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Historic Notting Hill Arthouse Cinema Undergoes Refurbishment
LONDON, ENGLAND — The historic Gate Cinema in London’s trendy Notting Hill is currently undergoing an extensive refurbishment.
Externally, it will have a new canopy, marquee and vertical blade sign. Internally, it will have a totally new lobby in stainless steel and oak (nothing of the original lobby exists following a rebuild after WWII when the ornate exterior suffered extensive bomb damage).
The Grade II listed auditorium is a extravagantly ornate wedding cake confection of Edwardian plasterwork with a heavily coffered ceiling.
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August 13, 2004
Devon Theater To Become Performing Arts Center
PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Devon Theater will be restored and renovated into a 500-seat performing arts center, according to an article in the Northeast Times.
The newspaper reports that the Mayfair Community Development Corporation will reopen the renamed Devon Theater of Performing Arts to “showcase a wide range of entertainment – live theater, opera, orchestra and ballet performances, children’s shows, dance and music recitals, comedy cabarets, holiday plays – and even an occasional movie.”
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August 9, 2004
Oldest Continuously Operating Movie Theater?
PRYOR, OK — My name is Gene Oliver and I am the owner of the Allred Theater in Pryor, Oklahoma. The theater was opened in 1917 by J. F. Allred and my father bought it in 1963.
It has continuosly operated as a movie theater and never been dark. Nor has it operated as any other business. My interest is in the possibility that it may be the oldest continously operating movie theater in the nation. If not, possibly the oldest small town theater in continuous operation.
I would appreciate some help with this research.
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August 2, 2004
New Ritz Theatre Pic
WELLINGTON, TX — Wes Reeves sent us a new pic of the Ritz Theatre’s latest restoration…
“Hi – a few months ago you ran a photo of the facade of the Ritz Theatre in Wellington, Texas just as were about to start roof repairs.
I’m sending another shot that shows a completely different picture. Windows have been replaced, some paint has been slapped on and the old blade sign has been returned complete with new neon.