It strangely enough wasn’t the Warner’s that saved the theater from the wrecking ball, but the Powers family. Recently the York Family along with another local family gave the money to build the additional auditoriums which are much smaller than the main auditorium, but very nice. The DeYor Auditorium seats about 600.
Mrs. York is the daughter of Edward J. DeBartelo, and she with her husband have been fantastic in their support of the Symphany Center as well as YSU.
As for the Paramount, throughout it’s history, it has had huge troubles, yet it is the oldest remaiing theater building in Youngstown, and it would be nice if for no other reason it could be saved, but I’m afraid that it is so far gone that not even Grand Venues could save it.
The same can be said for the State Theater building. Like the Paramount, it’s roof is shot in a major way, and it has sustained the same sort of damage judging from the photos I’ve seen of it.
Actually it’s very beautiful. The main auditorium has been preserved intact, as is the lobby etc. Two additional auditoriums were added, but do not detract from the main auditorium, and they were designed by one of Youngstowns very best firms.
As for the Paramount … Grand Venues claims that it will be done in three years at $3.5 million, and as I’ve said before, there is no way that they can do what needs to be done for that amount.
As for the State, the plan to demolish it is up in the air, and no one really knows at this point what will happen.
I would suggest Patsy that you visit the Youngstown Symphony web site and see for yourself just what has been accomplished at Powers.
For those wishing to view the exterior photo of the Paramount, I have moved it to Page 2 of my web site. Because of the need for space, I will be taking it down Sunday, but if you would like to have a copy, e-mail me at and I’ll forward it to you.
So far the local media seems to be taking a wait-see attitude. Others have stepped forward wanting to restore the theater, but failed. Right now the city is in no position to put up any money to help fund the project having poured a bundle into the Chevy Center.
The building, as photos will show is in horrorable condition, and to think that $3.5 million could do the job is simple unrealistic, so it would seem that the city would be asked to put up money, and hopefully it will take the same position that it took with previous proposals.
It would be nice to have another theater downtown, but given the condition of the building in question, this is not the one.
The old State Theater is in better condition than the Paramount, and even that building would take more than 3.5 million to restore.
Rick, I’ll put a picture of the exterior up on my website at http://farrell-report.tripod.com, but as you will see when you get there, I can’t leave it up for too very long, so please let me know when you have viewed it.
4/3/2006 — The Vindicator reported today that a developer from Illinois purchased the Paramount Theater building and plans to restore it for concerts and movies. According to the report, they will put $3.5 Million into the project.
The main floor will be leveled for tables. The Balcony will be refitted for movies (Two Screens).
It was reported in todays Vindicator that Grand Venues, an Illinois corporation purchased the old Paramount theater building for $79,900 and plans to reopen it into a performance hall and movie theater.
According to the report it would cost up to $3.5 million, and is expected to be done in about three years.
Don’t misunderstand me in re. Robins Theater. I like most others here would like to see the theater saved, but with private funds.
This morning GM, the area’s largest employer announced that it would be cutting it’s third shift, Delphi (Warren) is cutting jobs as well as pay, and Forum Health (Liberty Township, Trumbull County) may close, all impacting on the valley’s economy.
With all this bad news, it’s unreasonable to expect the tax payers to dig into their pockets to save the Robins. We must set our priorities.
What about establishing a private foundation for the preservation of historic theaters, seeking out corporate support? Surely there are businessmen in the corporate world who would be willing to join in such an effort.
The Warner Theater in Youngstown was saved because of a single family, and out of that efort, we have the beautiful Powers Auditorium that is home to the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, and is a success story.
The Stambaugh Auditorium is another success story thanks to the private sector. Like Powers, it is a magnificant theater srving the Mahoning Valley.
My only concern is where can we find the private investors to put up the money to restore the theater?
Here in Youngstown people have wanted to restore the Paramount and State theaters but could not get the money from the private sector, and with both Delphi and GM on shakey grounds, folks here are simply not placing restorations on their must do list.
To make matters worse, there is a distinct possability that we will be losing a third major employer if Forum Health closes the North Side Hospital.
The Robins should be saved, but to do it, we must have help from outside the valley.
As I see it, there must be a national foundation set up for the purpose of saving historic theaters, with the expertese to assess the feasability of doing the job.
According to today’s Vindicator, the City of Warren has refused to fund the restoration of the Robins Theater and is recommending that it be torn down.
Apparently it is so deteriorated that it would be cheaper to build a new theater than restore the Robins.
When a building is in the state of deterioration that the State and Paramount are in, where is the money coming from to restore them?
The auditorium of the State will still stand and be protected, but unless the private sector can come up with the money to restore it, it’s future is gloomy at best.
If only those who pay lip service to historic preservation would reach into their pockets and come forward to restore it, new life could be put into the auditorium. Remember, the Warner was days away from demolition before the Powers family came forward, and now it is one of the most glorious theaters in the state.
The Oakland Center for the Performing Arts would love to have the State auditorium, but they, on their own do not have the funds to purchase it much less restore it.
As for the portion that will be torn down, the front wall will be preserved. The small parking area will be a private parking area for the building that is being restored, and the plans call for it to be restored to it’s original look, and this is important.
I too regret the demise of the Palace, but don’t blame the city for it. Blame the private sector for not stepping forward to buy the building.
We simply can not expect the government to do what the private sector should be doing.
The Powers Auditorium is a perfect example of what private citizens can do.
Four new photos have been added showing new Box Office and the Ford Recital Hall which is now being constructed on the west side of the Auditorium. The Ford Recital Hall will seat 600 people. The local Architect form Ricciuti Balog and Partners designed the new additions.
It’s truely wonderful to see just how much effort has been expel theater, and even more gratifying to see that “SOLD OUT” sign going up for just about every event.
All I can say is go to http://community.webshots.com/user/aorto and after viewing the pictures of the interior of the State and Paramount as they are now, tell me who has pockets deep enough to save these two buildings?
The sad fact is that they are both so far gone that they should both be consigned to the wrecking balls.
No one would be more interested in saving beautiful theaters, but when the buildings are in the advanced state of decay that these two buildings are in, I will opt to give my money to the Youngstown Symphony Center which saved the Warner Theater (See http://community.webshots.com/user/ladynews500
As to a venue for rock and roll etc. that is going to be one of the types of shows that will be booked into the Youngstown Convocation Center.
Two new photos of Powers Auditorium have been added to my site showing Powers when it was still the Warner Theater, and the second is a view of that part of the lobby referred to as The Spanish Room.
This area of the lobby is truely beautiful, but then the whole facility is magnificant. The Youngstown Symphony Society deserves a huge amount of credit for maintaining the building in a magnificant way.
The front of the building has been restored to it’s original appearence except for the marquee and sign.
Do you know the names of the theaters that they operated in Youngstown? At one point there were no fewer than 12 downtown theaters (between 1908 and 1920) Also do you have any pictures of the Youngstown theaters that your family operated? I’m building a scrap book of downtown theaters and have ads for all of the theaters that were downtown?
The sad part about the Palace Theater is the fact that it was even more beautiful than the B&W photos can show. Right up to the end it was well kept, and could well have been saved.
It took the destruction of this theater to spur people to save the Warner.
The one partner owns James and Weaver Office Equipment 22 West Wood Street in Youngstown — 330-744-4427. I would advise making an appointment with her and talking to her in person rather than just over the phone. Her name is Denise Powell.
After the theater became a nite club, the floor was leveled on the main floor, the seats were taken out and replaced with tables. At this point in time it’s fate is sealed unless someone can come up with the money that would be needed to restore the auditorium section.
As has been said, the front half of the building will be demolished within the next two years.
If those interested in saving what would be left wanted to help save it, I’m sure P&P Partners who own the building would welcome organized help. It would be a good place for the Oakland Center For The Performing Arts. They are a well established theater group here in Youngstown. At their most recent show, they drew 2000 people.
It is hoped that the Oakland Center For The Performing Arts which is next door might be able to come up with the money to restore the auditorium, but the building owners will demolish the long hallway leading from Federal as part of another preservation project. The beginnihg of the redevelopment of the Wells building should start this year, and the front end of the State will be used for parking behind the front wall of the old State Theater. The plan is to return this wall to it’s original appearence absent of course the box office and billboards.
It strangely enough wasn’t the Warner’s that saved the theater from the wrecking ball, but the Powers family. Recently the York Family along with another local family gave the money to build the additional auditoriums which are much smaller than the main auditorium, but very nice. The DeYor Auditorium seats about 600.
Mrs. York is the daughter of Edward J. DeBartelo, and she with her husband have been fantastic in their support of the Symphany Center as well as YSU.
As for the Paramount, throughout it’s history, it has had huge troubles, yet it is the oldest remaiing theater building in Youngstown, and it would be nice if for no other reason it could be saved, but I’m afraid that it is so far gone that not even Grand Venues could save it.
The same can be said for the State Theater building. Like the Paramount, it’s roof is shot in a major way, and it has sustained the same sort of damage judging from the photos I’ve seen of it.
Actually it’s very beautiful. The main auditorium has been preserved intact, as is the lobby etc. Two additional auditoriums were added, but do not detract from the main auditorium, and they were designed by one of Youngstowns very best firms.
As for the Paramount … Grand Venues claims that it will be done in three years at $3.5 million, and as I’ve said before, there is no way that they can do what needs to be done for that amount.
As for the State, the plan to demolish it is up in the air, and no one really knows at this point what will happen.
I would suggest Patsy that you visit the Youngstown Symphony web site and see for yourself just what has been accomplished at Powers.
For those wishing to view the exterior photo of the Paramount, I have moved it to Page 2 of my web site. Because of the need for space, I will be taking it down Sunday, but if you would like to have a copy, e-mail me at and I’ll forward it to you.
For those who haven’t seen it yet, it’s at
http://farrell-report.tripod.com
Have a great day.
So far the local media seems to be taking a wait-see attitude. Others have stepped forward wanting to restore the theater, but failed. Right now the city is in no position to put up any money to help fund the project having poured a bundle into the Chevy Center.
The building, as photos will show is in horrorable condition, and to think that $3.5 million could do the job is simple unrealistic, so it would seem that the city would be asked to put up money, and hopefully it will take the same position that it took with previous proposals.
It would be nice to have another theater downtown, but given the condition of the building in question, this is not the one.
The old State Theater is in better condition than the Paramount, and even that building would take more than 3.5 million to restore.
The website above doesn’t seem to work. Trying again
http://farrell-report.tripod.com
Hopefully this will work.
Rick, I’ll put a picture of the exterior up on my website at http://farrell-report.tripod.com, but as you will see when you get there, I can’t leave it up for too very long, so please let me know when you have viewed it.
Thanks much
4/3/2006 — The Vindicator reported today that a developer from Illinois purchased the Paramount Theater building and plans to restore it for concerts and movies. According to the report, they will put $3.5 Million into the project.
The main floor will be leveled for tables. The Balcony will be refitted for movies (Two Screens).
It was reported in todays Vindicator that Grand Venues, an Illinois corporation purchased the old Paramount theater building for $79,900 and plans to reopen it into a performance hall and movie theater.
According to the report it would cost up to $3.5 million, and is expected to be done in about three years.
Don’t misunderstand me in re. Robins Theater. I like most others here would like to see the theater saved, but with private funds.
This morning GM, the area’s largest employer announced that it would be cutting it’s third shift, Delphi (Warren) is cutting jobs as well as pay, and Forum Health (Liberty Township, Trumbull County) may close, all impacting on the valley’s economy.
With all this bad news, it’s unreasonable to expect the tax payers to dig into their pockets to save the Robins. We must set our priorities.
What about establishing a private foundation for the preservation of historic theaters, seeking out corporate support? Surely there are businessmen in the corporate world who would be willing to join in such an effort.
The Warner Theater in Youngstown was saved because of a single family, and out of that efort, we have the beautiful Powers Auditorium that is home to the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, and is a success story.
The Stambaugh Auditorium is another success story thanks to the private sector. Like Powers, it is a magnificant theater srving the Mahoning Valley.
My only concern is where can we find the private investors to put up the money to restore the theater?
Here in Youngstown people have wanted to restore the Paramount and State theaters but could not get the money from the private sector, and with both Delphi and GM on shakey grounds, folks here are simply not placing restorations on their must do list.
To make matters worse, there is a distinct possability that we will be losing a third major employer if Forum Health closes the North Side Hospital.
The Robins should be saved, but to do it, we must have help from outside the valley.
As I see it, there must be a national foundation set up for the purpose of saving historic theaters, with the expertese to assess the feasability of doing the job.
According to today’s Vindicator, the City of Warren has refused to fund the restoration of the Robins Theater and is recommending that it be torn down.
Apparently it is so deteriorated that it would be cheaper to build a new theater than restore the Robins.
When a building is in the state of deterioration that the State and Paramount are in, where is the money coming from to restore them?
The auditorium of the State will still stand and be protected, but unless the private sector can come up with the money to restore it, it’s future is gloomy at best.
If only those who pay lip service to historic preservation would reach into their pockets and come forward to restore it, new life could be put into the auditorium. Remember, the Warner was days away from demolition before the Powers family came forward, and now it is one of the most glorious theaters in the state.
The Oakland Center for the Performing Arts would love to have the State auditorium, but they, on their own do not have the funds to purchase it much less restore it.
As for the portion that will be torn down, the front wall will be preserved. The small parking area will be a private parking area for the building that is being restored, and the plans call for it to be restored to it’s original look, and this is important.
I too regret the demise of the Palace, but don’t blame the city for it. Blame the private sector for not stepping forward to buy the building.
We simply can not expect the government to do what the private sector should be doing.
The Powers Auditorium is a perfect example of what private citizens can do.
Four new photos have been added showing new Box Office and the Ford Recital Hall which is now being constructed on the west side of the Auditorium. The Ford Recital Hall will seat 600 people. The local Architect form Ricciuti Balog and Partners designed the new additions.
It’s truely wonderful to see just how much effort has been expel theater, and even more gratifying to see that “SOLD OUT” sign going up for just about every event.
http://community.webshots.com/user/ladynews500
You are absolutely right, it’s getting my bedtime and these old eyes aren’t as sharp as they should be. Thanks for the correction.
Still another Grand Lobby shot with a clear view of Grand Staircase. http://community.webshots.com/user/ladylews500 has been posted.
All I can say is go to http://community.webshots.com/user/aorto and after viewing the pictures of the interior of the State and Paramount as they are now, tell me who has pockets deep enough to save these two buildings?
The sad fact is that they are both so far gone that they should both be consigned to the wrecking balls.
No one would be more interested in saving beautiful theaters, but when the buildings are in the advanced state of decay that these two buildings are in, I will opt to give my money to the Youngstown Symphony Center which saved the Warner Theater (See http://community.webshots.com/user/ladynews500
As to a venue for rock and roll etc. that is going to be one of the types of shows that will be booked into the Youngstown Convocation Center.
A new picture of the Grand Lobby has been added to my Webshots site. Link is http://community.webshots.com/user/ladynews500
It is titled Grand Lobby 5
Two new photos of Powers Auditorium have been added to my site showing Powers when it was still the Warner Theater, and the second is a view of that part of the lobby referred to as The Spanish Room.
http://community.webshots.com/user/ladynews500
This area of the lobby is truely beautiful, but then the whole facility is magnificant. The Youngstown Symphony Society deserves a huge amount of credit for maintaining the building in a magnificant way.
The front of the building has been restored to it’s original appearence except for the marquee and sign.
Do you know the names of the theaters that they operated in Youngstown? At one point there were no fewer than 12 downtown theaters (between 1908 and 1920) Also do you have any pictures of the Youngstown theaters that your family operated? I’m building a scrap book of downtown theaters and have ads for all of the theaters that were downtown?
The sad part about the Palace Theater is the fact that it was even more beautiful than the B&W photos can show. Right up to the end it was well kept, and could well have been saved.
It took the destruction of this theater to spur people to save the Warner.
At my Webshots site, I have posted a set of pictures of Powers Auditorium (Warner Theater)
http://community.webshots.com/user/ladynews500
This historic theater is undergoing a major expansion.
The one partner owns James and Weaver Office Equipment 22 West Wood Street in Youngstown — 330-744-4427. I would advise making an appointment with her and talking to her in person rather than just over the phone. Her name is Denise Powell.
After the theater became a nite club, the floor was leveled on the main floor, the seats were taken out and replaced with tables. At this point in time it’s fate is sealed unless someone can come up with the money that would be needed to restore the auditorium section.
As has been said, the front half of the building will be demolished within the next two years.
If those interested in saving what would be left wanted to help save it, I’m sure P&P Partners who own the building would welcome organized help. It would be a good place for the Oakland Center For The Performing Arts. They are a well established theater group here in Youngstown. At their most recent show, they drew 2000 people.
The Paramount Pipe Organ is a total loss. It can not be salvaged.
It is hoped that the Oakland Center For The Performing Arts which is next door might be able to come up with the money to restore the auditorium, but the building owners will demolish the long hallway leading from Federal as part of another preservation project. The beginnihg of the redevelopment of the Wells building should start this year, and the front end of the State will be used for parking behind the front wall of the old State Theater. The plan is to return this wall to it’s original appearence absent of course the box office and billboards.