Have a news tip for us?
Just email . Ideas for stories, links to interesting articles, and press releases are welcome.
Save the State from being demolished!
posted by
dallas56
on
March 25, 2009 at 7:45 am
OWATONNA, MN — Located in downtown Owatonna, Minnesota, the State Theater is an Art Deco building that opened as a movie theater in 1935. The interior included a 35' high ceiling, four distinct arches, Art Deco sconces, 1000 seats, plush curtains and a vaudeville stage. Retail space exists on both sides of the main entry. The building was “modernized” through two separate renovations during the 1970’s and 1980’s, dividing the auditorium into three screens. The theater closed in 1996 and has been vacant since.
Owatonna’s Main Street program was unsuccessful in finding an investor to bring the State back to life.
The city of Owatonna’s Economic Development Authority recently gave its blessing to a proposal that may level the State Theater in downtown Owatonna.
If the current owner, Newco Theaters Inc., in Columbus, GA agrees to donate the land, city crews would then demolish the building and ready the site for construction of an office building in the spring of 2010.
The State Theater is listed in the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota’s 2007 list of the Ten Most Endangered Historic Places.
I am trying to preserve an history landmark in the downtown district and trying to generate interest in saving the State Theater from being Demolished!
I just started a new website at: http://www.designwithd.com/wordpress
My email is:
Thank you,
Randy
Comments (9)
I don’t understand why an owner would donate the thaeter and land to the City so an office building or any other private development would be built?
Theaters are sometimes donated to government or nonprofit so they can be saved!
Why is it referred to as the State Theatre, while the marquee says Cameo 3? What are the other theatres in the area?
HowardBhass – I am trying to preserve an history landmark in the downtown district and trying to generate interest in saving the State Theater from being Demolished! Do you have any ideas on raising funds or donations?
I know what you are trying to do. You evidently don’t know who I am & what I’ve been doing for 7 years as a volunteer(hint: www.FriendsOftheBoyd.org))
Reply: ask for funds from people you know, and get in the newspapers with the box “send funds to….” Affiliate with a nonprofit that can give tax deductions for those funds you will be raising.
Best of luck.
Let’s try that link again
www.FriendsOfTheBoyd.org
Winmovies – The State Theater was been through two separate renovations during the 1970’s and 1980’s and then they remained it, the Cameo 3
Is there any possibility of one of the larger local businesses being interested in support? Specifically, I’m wondering if Wenger, a manufacturer of performing arts equipment (music stands, acoustical shells,risers, etc.), would be interested in it, perhaps even as a way to show off their products as well as serve as a community event venue. Also, contact the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota to see if they know of anyone else who may also be working to save the theater.
Jay D Paska – Great idea! I will follow up with Wenger! Thank you!
Good Luck.