CAPITOLA, CA — The 1948 Capitola Theater may soon be torn down. The theater has been closed since 2006. The current owner has applied for a demolition permit, claiming the building is mold-infested and too expensive to seismic retrofit. The city will hold a hearing to determine if the building has any historic significance.

"Some people might think it is historic,” said Mayor Bob Begun. “I don’t.”

The property is owned by a Barry Swenson Builder partnership. The current assessment is for $2.9 million, down from the purchase price of $3.75 million listed by the county assessor.

Additional details in the San Jose Mercury News.

TROY, NY — I heard on the news this morning that there is a rally today at the Proctor’s Theatre to protest the proposed conversion of this theatre into office and retail space. They are going to use a government grant to destroy a beautiful theater which is listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings. I am headed over there now.

Gregg

BALA CYNWYD, PA — The Bala Theater suburban Philadelphia was named last week on the endangered list of the Lower Merion Conservancy.

There are only two movie palaces in the Philadelphia region where movies are still shown, the Ambler Theatre, and Clearview’s Bala Theater. Two years ago, I sent in a nomination of the Bala Theater to the Lower Merion Conservancy, for its most endangered list, explaining that the Bala is the only surviving “exotic” themed movie palace in the Philadelphia region. There were others in styles such as Chinese, Moorish, but they are all gone.

The Conservancy states that “At its heart sits the gorgeous Bala Theater, an Egyptian revival masterpiece....” and that a local business association “built the Bala Theater, originally named the Egyptian, in 1927, working with the same architects as the Philadelphia’s Boyd Theater fame. This is the only surviving “exotic” themed movie palace in the Philadelphia area. The theater is listed as a Class 2 building, but has maintenance issues with unapproved changes that concern preservationists.”

Read more…

ISLIP, NY — Tonight at 7:30PM in front of the Islip Theater there will be a candlelight vigil to show support for saving the theatre.

More info and the petition for the cause is available here.

Here is the link to the online petition to save the Islip Theater...Please pass this around and have everyone sign it.

UPDATE ON ISLIP THEATER...
The plan that the current owner is actively seeking is to tear down this beautiful art deco theater to erect a daycare center in its place. There is no time to waste as the next meeting at Town Hall will have already determined the fate of the theater and the public will not be allowed to debate or discuss it any further once this next meeting takes place(currently on the calendar for 7/23/09).  This is why it is crucial for everyone to show their support now!!! 

I urge everyone to go to this website to sign the online petition to keep our Islip Theater standing for generations to come.
Petition Link

Read more…

BALTIMORE, MD — Baltimore’s historic Senator Theatre (http://www.senator.com) faces public auction on July 22, 2009 due to disgraceful decisions by Baltimore City management. If you feel the Senator Theatre should remain a historic theatre serving the arts and be a entertainment beacon, please sign this petition.

Once ‘signed’, you’ll receive a followup email with a verification link.

Baltimore: A City of Theatres short film (2 versions) http://vimeo.com/user1789788

Tom Harris
410-984-9759
max_genus@hotmail.com
Facebook
Friends of The Senator Theatre blog

ASHFORD, SURREY, ENGLAND — Hi, I want to save the Clarendon Cinema on Clarendon Road in Ashford, Middlesex.

It’s now been empty for about a year, after the last tenant left. It was being used for Aircraft spare part storage.

It is thought that it is going to demolished for flats. It’s worth saving as a house at least.

Is there any way of having it saved? I have seen old pictures of it in it’s heyday and it looked fantastic.

Thanks,
Euan McLintock

PHILADELPHIA, PA — At this sidewalk gathering tomorrow, show support for the restoration and reopening of the Boyd Theatre, hear a short report by Friends of the Boyd president Howard B. Haas on the status of Philadelphia’s sole surviving premiere movie palace, and “meet and greet” Theatre Historical Society of America (THSA) members in Philadelphia.

THSA is the only organization in the U.S. which exclusively records, preserves and celebrates the rich architectural, cultural and social history of America’s theatres. The prestigious organization selected Philadelphia for their annual pilgrimage to historic theaters.

FREE event, no registration needed.

4:15 PM on the sidewalk in front of the Boyd Theatre, 1908 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102.

(Thanks to Friends of the Boyd for providing the photo.)

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — According to this article, the developer who wants to repurpose the Metro Theater on Union Street has agreed to preserve at least some of the historic interior:

The deadlock between historic preservationists and developers who want to renovate the old Metro movie theater on Union Street loosened Monday when both sides agreed to compromise.

The Board of Supervisors Land Use and Economic Development Committee supported landmark status for the exterior of the 1924 theater, and the developer extended a commitment to preserve some of the historic features inside, including a series of Heinsbergen murals, Ionic columns, grills and urns on the stage.

Read the full story in the San Francisco Chronicle.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The City of Minneapolis issued a Request for Proposals for redevelopment of the Hollywood Theater.

The City’s redevelopment goals for the site include renovation of the existing structure to accommodate a viable commercial use while preserving the character-defining features of the building and the option for future use as a theater.

This RFP will consider a wide range of commercial uses of the theater building. Proposals that involve a theater or entertainment reuse will be considered, but so will proposals with other commercial uses such as office and/or retail. Any proposals with a non-theater use must address how they will preserve the option for reuse as a theater in the future, if such an option arises. Residential uses are not allowed at the site.

Read more at the Official City Site.