Lakewood Theatre

Unfortunately it does. I am keeping high hopes if they are moving the Lakewood Historical Society into the lobby. So at least the building will obtain historical landmark. It’s such a shame that a prefectly good building sat and rotted in plain sight for no good reason. The only hope we have is some magical donor. The biggest fear for the town of Lakewood is a recent discussion of a Civic center with a theater being built right next store to Lakewood AMC.

Another update, I tried emailing The Lakewood Historical Society and no reply yet. But I did speak with the head of Lakewood playhouse. He told me a group and himself went in the theatre almost 4 years ago with Lakewood city to see what would have to be done to bring it up to code. It would cost nearly 3.9 million just to renovate it to code. The floor is collapsing and tons of other things falling apart. So sadly there is no hope.

Any updates on this theater?

I spent many a rainy Saturday afternoon here we lived just down the street. Also went to dinner a couple times a month at the Lakewood Terrace Restaurant. I think with the right investors this could make a great dinner / theater combo. Does anyone know who owns this building. Sad that it is just decaying.

Two photo/articles in this weeks Tacoma Weekly newspaper indicate “Groups express new life interest in the Lakewood Theatre”. The second story is of “Mr. Theatre”, the late 53-year old former Executive Director Marcus Walker, who lost his battle with cancer last March. A special birthday candlelight ceremony will be held at 5pm in front of the Lakewood Town Center along with a special street renaming for “Marcus Walker Way”. He will be remembered around Tacoma as “the go-to guy.

kateymac01: the newspaper link is now dead.

There’s fresh talk about the Lakewood Theatre. News Tribune reporter Brent Champaco posted some news on his blog.

Touche!

Friend of CP Warrior76

Updated leasing information as of Jan 2007:

Gramor Development LLC
John Graham
(206) 284-4066 or (206) 284-4060
www.gramorgroup.com

Theater is part of the “Lakewood Colonial Center” on Gramor’s website.

Oh no—-not that guy that ruined the Liberty Theater in Puyallup! Say it ain’t so!

Found a photo from 1937 here:
View link

There is a GREAT letter to the editor in today’s News Tribune:

Lakewood, unite to save landmark theater
by Christine Gould, Lakewood

Published: February 28th, 2006

As a 40-year resident of Lakewood, it breaks my heart seeing the Lakewood Theater disintegrate year after year before my very eyes.

While I realize this edifice is in desperate need of repair and building code upgrades, I do not understand why the citizens of Lakewood haven’t rallied together in order to save such an important part of our local history. Surely, the Norton Clapp family who opened the Lakewood Center in 1937 is as saddened as I am watching this historically significant structure deteriorate.

There are many families who have resided in Lakewood as long as I who have the financial means to contribute toward such a worthy cause. Even though many of us less fortunate souls struggle to make ends meet, individually we could each find a few dollars to spare in an effort to save our wonderful theater.

Look how popular the Tacoma Grand Cinema has become in the last few years; it is refreshing to see unusual movies not normally shown at the “big box” chains. We, too, could have our own version of the Grand, one that would help revitalize Colonial Center and give our city a “heart” once again.

I recently discovered that my movie-fanatic brother-in-law had looked into leasing this space. He agrees with you, Ken, on the price, and he says it needs handicap-accessible upgrades and other updates as well. Too bad. It always makes me sad to see it just sitting there. Guess we know why, though …