Have a news tip for us?
Just email . Ideas for stories, links to interesting articles, and press releases are welcome.
Renovations
-
November 8, 2004
More Photos From The Capitol Theatre Restoration
FLINT, MI — CT volunteer Gary Flinn has sent us another update about the Capitol Theatre.
Hello again, Patrick and Ross.
I took pictures of the Capitol Theatre today. This week, the painting of the arcade canopy was finished and it looks great. Work on the vertical sign is underway. The neon tubing was removed and the sign was power washed before painting started. On Saturday morning, the sign was painted all white. When I returned in the afternoon, the painters were working with the final blue and yellow colors. Attached are pictures.
Gary Flinn
1 comment -
November 2, 2004
Center Theatre Shows New Face on Main Street
DOVER-FOXCROFT, ME — With the installation of a new marquee, Center Theatre now proudly presents a new, or is it old, face on Main Street.
In current terms, one might call it retro. The new fixture was designed by Neocraft Signs of Lewiston, Maine and was installed on the facade on Friday, October 29th. The design is meant to recreate the look of the original marquee erected when the theatre was built in 1943. An official lighting “event” will be planned for the near future.
-
September 30, 2004
Reseda Theater Redevelopment
The Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency is buying the 350-seat Reseda Theater as a linchpin for suburban renewal at Sherman Way and Reseda Boulevard, according to a report in the Los Angeles Daily News.
And at least two community groups have expressed interest in relighting the vintage neighborhood marquee that for decades drew lines around the block for top movie hits.
-
September 28, 2004
Capitol Theatre Gets Partial Exterior Restoration
FLINT, MI — Repairs are underway to the long-neglected exterior of the Capitol Theatre.
Water-damaged brickwork is being replaced and repairs to the vertical sign are planned, according to The Flint Journal.
-
Valley Theatre Saved; Will Reopen as The Grand Theater
EAST GREENVILLE, PA — The Valley Theatre recently received a new lease on life after the new owners reconsidered the final business use for the building.
Originally, Grand – Valley Holdings LP was committed to restoring the original appearance of the building but to level the floor and use the former theater for retail use. Due to the lack of support the theater received in recent years, it went to sheriff sale this past March 2004. Given the lack of patronage by the community to the theater, the partners initially thought its hopes to be re-opened were non-existent.
After dozens of calls and numerous people stopping by the theater since the partners' August 20, 2004 acquisition, the firm decided to give the 1924 Neo-Classical revival theater another shot.
-
September 22, 2004
Metro Theatre To Reopen As An Art House
NEW YORK, NY — The recently shuttered Metro Twin has been taken over by a new tenant who plans to convert the Art Deco movie theater into an art house with wider screens and other upgrades, according to David Freeland in the New York Press.
According to his report, “A soon-to-be-named ‘celebrity operator’ has been hired to run the theater and scout out cutting-edge films from around the world. If all goes according to plan, the new Metro could be unveiled as early as November.”
-
September 21, 2004
Restoration of Fox Tucson Coming Along
TUCSON, AZ — The restoration project to bring the 74 year-old Fox in downtown Tucson back to life after years of neglect is progressing slowly but surely, according to the Tucson Citizen.
With the work on the exterior of the theater nearing completion, including the restoration and relighting of the historic marquee, the work is now beginning on the interior of the Fox. The first phase of the restoration of the inside of the building includes the lobby spaces, the balcony level and the basement.
-
September 10, 2004
Flint Capitol Theatre Update
FLINT, MI — The following message was sent in by Gary Flinn:
“FYI, here is an update of the Capitol Theatre repairs. Now that the brickwork is repaired on the east wall of the auditorium, the bricklayers have started work on the west wall of the auditorium along Brush Alley.
Most of the water damaged bricks have been removed from the wall and they are about ready to put up the new bricks. On Brush Alley, there are pallets of replacement brick and large bags of mortar along with a cement mixer."
-
September 9, 2004
Hollywood and Grenada Theaters Under Contract
PITTSBURGH, PA — Borden Vaughan Development has taken the Hollywood Theatre, located in the Dormont Shopping District of Pittsburgh, and the Grenada Theater, located in Beaver Falls, off the market and are awaiting inspections and feasibility studies prior to their purchase.
Plans are in the works to put the two theaters on the National Registry of Historic Places, and convert them to a restaurant/bar movie format. Traditional seating will be phased out and replaced with couches, tables, and home theater seating. Concessions will also be unconventional with ideas including a coffee bar, a gelato shop, and gourmet pizza.
-
September 6, 2004
Capitol Theatre Repairs Underway
FLINT, MI — Necessary and long-delayed repairs to the Capitol Theatre building have begun with the removal of loose bricks on the east exterior wall of the auditorium to be replaced by new brickwork.
The water damage now being repaired is due to runoff of rain water from the auditorium’s roof over time. Other repairs planned include fixing the theater’s vertical sign which is original to the theater but was altered in the 1957 remodeling of the theater.
This project was planned for several months and was earlier reported in a March 29 story in Cinema Treasures.