As you know, Friends of the Boyd are very concerned because Live Nation has put the Boyd up for sale. We don’t want Center City’s last movie palace to be sold to another real estate developer who might seek to demolish it!
We’ve mentioned previously that Live Nation is also considering turning the Boyd into a House of Blues. Friends of the Boyd were happy with the restoration plans drawn up to restore the Boyd into a venue for Touring Broadway musicals, and that Live Nation was happy to accommodate our film series. However, if the theater becomes a House of Blues, Live Nation has not specified whether the Boyd’s original, historic Art Deco features would be fully restored, and if a film series would be accommodated. Friends of the Boyd have continued to offer to fundraise for the restoration.
PLEASE TELEPHONE City Hall at 215-686-1776 and ask to be connected to Mayor Street’s office.
The Mayor’s fax is 215-686-2180 if you would like to write a letter.
We suggest you start the conversation by identifying yourself by name, occupation, and city of
residence.
Ask the Mayor’s office to please request that the owner of Center City’s last movie palace, Live
Nation NOT sell the historic Boyd Theatre (which is at 1908 Chestnut Street) to another real
estate developer who might demolish it! Instead, please suggest that Live Nation ought to
work with Friends of the Boyd to identify a buyer who would restore the theater.
Also, please ask his office to request that if Live Nation turns the Boyd into a House of Blues,
that the theater be fully restored to its original Art Deco design.
Feel free to emphasize that a restored, reopened Boyd Theatre will bring jobs, tourists,
entertainment, and vitality to Philadelphia. You may wish to suggest that a film series be
included along with the live entertainment needed to make the theater viable. Almost every US
city has restored a movie palace, so if Philadelphia wants to be great, we should restore the
Boyd!
Of course, please ask your contacts to call the Mayor’s office if they support our cause.
Howard B. Haas
The Weekly Update
Friends of the Boyd.