State Theatre

Unfortunately no. If you can find something on this, please let me know, because it deserves much consideration as a historic landmark.
Thanks for mentioning it.

It strangely enough wasn’t the Warner’s that saved the theater from the wrecking ball, but the Powers family. Recently the York Family along with another local family gave the money to build the additional auditoriums which are much smaller than the main auditorium, but very nice. The DeYor Auditorium seats about 600.

Mrs. York is the daughter of Edward J. DeBartelo, and she with her husband have been fantastic in their support of the Symphany Center as well as YSU.

As for the Paramount, throughout it’s history, it has had huge troubles, yet it is the oldest remaiing theater building in Youngstown, and it would be nice if for no other reason it could be saved, but I’m afraid that it is so far gone that not even Grand Venues could save it.

The same can be said for the State Theater building. Like the Paramount, it’s roof is shot in a major way, and it has sustained the same sort of damage judging from the photos I’ve seen of it.

wolfgirl500: In regards to your last paragraph I may just take you up on that invite to see the Powers. Recently Cass Warner, granddaughter of Harry M. Warner and her assistant did visit the Powers and told me that they had made many changes compared to the Warner Theatre in Erie as they visited both theatres during their visit to OH/PA for the 2nd annual Harry M. Warner Silent Film Festival. I know that the Powers family donated a large sum of money to the restoration of the former Warner which is wonderful and very much appreciated, but wish they somehow could have decided to keep that famous theatre name….Warner.

I hadn’t read what the projected time frame was for the work to be done on the Paramount. All of Youngstown’s theatres that are still standing deserve to be restored like the Powers (former Warner) Auditorium although according to a Warner source many changes were made in the restoration/renovation phase. When I hear or read the word…changes…..I get a mentally bad picture.

i was in the state in ‘84 for a Michael Stanley Band show. Balcony was devoid of seats, just concrete risers they used to be attached to. Most of remaining ornament in theatre and entrance was painted solid swaths of black or, if memory serves, 70s aqua.

there was a wonderful graphic in the Youngstown Vindicator (newspaper) about a decade ago listing pending improvements to the federal street/downtown area. Among the things to look forward to: More parking as soon as a parking garage was demolished. Go figure.

the possibility of demolishing the State entrance for even more parking for a lifeless just flies in the face of urban planning… having a missing tooth mid-block on a main street.

It’s also the same area where in the 30s and 40s there were acorn-globe lamposts and diagonal parking. That became overhead streetlights and later a bricked, pedestrian-only plaza in the 70s or 80s… only to be bulldozed a couple years ago with the grand announcement that at last vehicle access was back so businesses there would thrive. Now, along with decorative, old-style light fixtures, the latest plan is to bulldoze the tree-filled, boulevard-like median on the street to make room for diagonal parking — i.e., look at an old linen postcard to see what tomorrow will look like.

so, hey, why couldn’t a couple theatres come back to life if all things old are new again?

When a building is in the state of deterioration that the State and Paramount are in, where is the money coming from to restore them?

The auditorium of the State will still stand and be protected, but unless the private sector can come up with the money to restore it, it’s future is gloomy at best.

If only those who pay lip service to historic preservation would reach into their pockets and come forward to restore it, new life could be put into the auditorium. Remember, the Warner was days away from demolition before the Powers family came forward, and now it is one of the most glorious theaters in the state.

The Oakland Center for the Performing Arts would love to have the State auditorium, but they, on their own do not have the funds to purchase it much less restore it.

As for the portion that will be torn down, the front wall will be preserved. The small parking area will be a private parking area for the building that is being restored, and the plans call for it to be restored to it’s original look, and this is important.

I too regret the demise of the Palace, but don’t blame the city for it. Blame the private sector for not stepping forward to buy the building.

We simply can not expect the government to do what the private sector should be doing.

The Powers Auditorium is a perfect example of what private citizens can do.

All I can say is go to http://community.webshots.com/user/aorto and after viewing the pictures of the interior of the State and Paramount as they are now, tell me who has pockets deep enough to save these two buildings?

The sad fact is that they are both so far gone that they should both be consigned to the wrecking balls.

No one would be more interested in saving beautiful theaters, but when the buildings are in the advanced state of decay that these two buildings are in, I will opt to give my money to the Youngstown Symphony Center which saved the Warner Theater (See http://community.webshots.com/user/ladynews500

As to a venue for rock and roll etc. that is going to be one of the types of shows that will be booked into the Youngstown Convocation Center.

The one partner owns James and Weaver Office Equipment 22 West Wood Street in Youngstown — 330-744-4427. I would advise making an appointment with her and talking to her in person rather than just over the phone. Her name is Denise Powell.

After the theater became a nite club, the floor was leveled on the main floor, the seats were taken out and replaced with tables. At this point in time it’s fate is sealed unless someone can come up with the money that would be needed to restore the auditorium section.

As has been said, the front half of the building will be demolished within the next two years.

If those interested in saving what would be left wanted to help save it, I’m sure P&P Partners who own the building would welcome organized help. It would be a good place for the Oakland Center For The Performing Arts. They are a well established theater group here in Youngstown. At their most recent show, they drew 2000 people.

The Paramount Pipe Organ is a total loss. It can not be salvaged.

It is hoped that the Oakland Center For The Performing Arts which is next door might be able to come up with the money to restore the auditorium, but the building owners will demolish the long hallway leading from Federal as part of another preservation project. The beginnihg of the redevelopment of the Wells building should start this year, and the front end of the State will be used for parking behind the front wall of the old State Theater. The plan is to return this wall to it’s original appearence absent of course the box office and billboards.

Is there any specific information about the proposed demolition of the State?