Renovations

  • December 19, 2003

    Cla-Zel Investors Look to the Future

    BOWLING GREEN, OH — According to a report in the Toledo Blade, the current owners of the CLA-ZEL Theatre have replaced the theater’s roof, upgraded the lobby, and made many general improvements over the past few years.

    But what’s next? The group plans to create a comprehensive, five-year plan for keeping the CLA-ZEL in good shape. A top priority: the theater’s marquee.

    “It is the landmark of the downtown,” said Paul Yon, director of development of Cla-Zel Theater, Inc. “The marquee is vitally important for the preservation of the facility itself.”

  • December 17, 2003

    Granby in Norfolk Va

    NORFOLK, VA — The old Granby Theatre, which has been closed for several years, is under renovations at this time.

  • November 26, 2003

    Ritz Theater Officially Begins Restoration

    WELLINGTON, TX — Work has officially begun on the Ritz Theater restoration in tiny Wellington, Texas. Historic Wellington Inc., which is spearheading the restoration, received $150,000 in funding from a local foundation and has contracted with an area building contractor to remove 20-plus years of debris and rebuild the damaged roof and interiors of the 1928 mission-revival theater.

  • November 17, 2003

    Reconstruction Underway at the Loew’s State

    EUREKA, CA — The former Loew’s State is in the process of a $2 million reconstruction, according to an article in the Eureka Reporter. Converted into retail space in 1971, it has sat vacant for more than a decade. To be renamed the Historic Sweasey Theatre, the theater will showcase live stage shows, both local and visiting companys will be sought to use this future cultural landmark.

  • November 13, 2003

    Strand Restoration Estimated to Cost $3 Million

    ATLANTA, GA — The Friends of the Strand, who are trying to save Atlanta’s long-closed Deco movie theater, have determined that the cost of a complete restoration of the theater is just shy of $3 million dollars, according to an article in today’s Atlanta Journal Constitution. The Strand, which hasn’t shown a movie for 27 years, is perhaps the only remaining Art Deco theater in the state of Georgia and is eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.

  • November 10, 2003

    Milwaukee in Theater Spotlight

    MILWAUKEE, WI — Events in the past two days have literally put the city of Milwaukee in the theatrical spotlight.

    On Thursday last, the first Milwaukee International Film Festival opened at the Oriental Theatre, with hundreds of people being greeted by the huge searchlight brightening the night sky. From Nov. 6th through the 16th, some 10,000 people are expected to enjoy some 100 films by independent filmmakers from three dozen nations as the show moves each day to other local vintage theaters including the Downer, and the Times, as well as the University of Wisconsin’s Milwaukee Cinema. More info is available at www.milwaukeefilmfestival.org.

  • November 6, 2003

    Avalon Theatre Restoration Wins 2 Awards

    KENSINGTON, MD — GTM Architects has announced that the firm has won two awards for its restoration work on Washington, D.C.’s Avalon Theatre. The awards, the Mayor’s Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation in the category of community involvement and the Pro Bono Design Award from the Washington Architectural Foundation, were given for the firm’s work on the Avalon’s facade and lobby areas, and improving the theater’s ADA compliance.

  • Robins Theater Redevelopment Plans Move Forward

    WARREN, OH — According to the Vindicator, the City of Warren has received a $50,000 state grant to cover preliminary design work and cost estimates for a redevelopment of the Robins Theater. The theater, described as “the largest and only surviving movie house within the city of Warren and is a contributing structure in the Warren Commercial National Historic District”, has been closed since the 1970s.

  • November 4, 2003

    Monterey City Council Considers Plans for State Theatre

    MONTEREY, CA — A Minneapolis-based consulting firm is recommending that the City of Montery move ahead with plans to purchase and restore the State Theatre, according to in article in the Monterey Herald.

  • Restored Temple Theatre in Saginaw MI Reopens

    SAGINAW, MI — Completing its $7 million restoration, the Temple Theatre in downtown Saginaw has reopened, according to an article in the Saginaw News. The theater will hold its first events this coming weekend, with a fundraiser planned for Friday evening and a stage show planned for Saturday.