Comments from teecee - Cinema Treasures

HACKENSACK – The Planning Board has unanimously approved Oritani Saving Bank’s plans to tear down the shuttered Fox Theater building on Main Street and add 53 parking spaces and a drive-through station for the bank.

The bank, in turn, says it will drop its lawsuit that sought to nullify the city’s decision last year to declare the theater property as a redevelopment site. This designation would have allowed the city to take over the theater, most of which was demolished a decade ago.

The city never announced specific plans for the land, however, and Wednesday’s vote was a sign that officials would rather see the bank develop the site, which many had called an “eyesore.”

“There’s much to be said when the private sector works well with government,” said Councilman Roger Mattei, a board member.

The Fox Theater was one of several movie houses that anchored the city’s downtown in the 1940s and 1950s. The theater closed two decades ago, although it was resurrected once or twice a year during the 1980s for closed-circuit boxing.

Last year, Oritani agreed to purchase the theater from a private company, but the city’s actions and the subsequent lawsuit held up the sale’s closing. Since then, however, the two sides have worked together to bring an end to the dispute.

At the end of the board’s Wednesday meeting, in fact, some members approached Oritani’s representatives and thanked them for presenting a solid application.

Under the plan, the bank will expand its own parking lot, adding 12 spaces that serve the bank. Oritani will also create a 41-space lot that will front State and Berry streets, behind the bank.

The bank’s president, Kevin Lynch, said he plans to lease spots in the 41-space lot to other merchants in the city’s parking-deprived downtown. He did say, however, that the new 41-spot lot may be only temporary; the bank is considering selling the 15,842-square-foot piece to a developer.

Lynch was excited about creating two drive-through lanes, one of which will include an ATM machine. The 92-year-old Main Street branch, he said, needs such a station to remain viable.

Article CJ107753056

teecee commented about Joy Theater on Sep 8, 2005 at 7:33 am

View link

Updated link for the May 12th post. Good history of other theaters in New Orleans as well.

teecee commented about Oldest Operating Art House/Rep House in the US? on Sep 8, 2005 at 5:58 am

Oldest as in oldest building or oldest as in oldest in continuing operation?