Paramount Theatre
142 Federal Plaza West,
Youngstown,
OH
44503
142 Federal Plaza West,
Youngstown,
OH
44503
13 people
favorited this theater
Showing 126 - 146 of 146 comments
Lost Memory: Thanks for posting this informative article! I knew an article had been written, but wasn’t able to find it….until now!
I hate to bring down the party. But $3.5 million isn’t going to get the job done. I have seen a lot of interior picutres of abandoned theatres, and this place falls into the worst category of decay. I have been told that it took $7 million to bring the Tucson, AZ Fox back to life and that building was in far, far better shape when they started the project. The Tucson Fox and Youngstown Paramount are roughly the same size. You do the math:
$7 million X 3 (because I’d say the Fox was in three-times better shape) = $21 million – $5 million (to make this a generous estimate) = $16 million.
I don’t know who came up with $3.5 million, or who agreed to provide the $3.5 million. But I’d like to see how it works out on paper. Furthermore, if Grand Venues says that they have $3.5 million I would ask to view their bank records.
Interesting quote on the Liberty Theatre vintage postcard..“devoted exclusively to the highest class in motion pictures.”
I’ve been told recently that the former Warner is across the street from the Paramount on Youngstown’s main street which is Federal. The b/w photos provided by CT member, “halehouse” really show the extent to which this theatre has been neglected for so many years! I also do not like to read that “the main floor will be leveled for tables.” Guess I’m too much of a purist!
I just read the post from ‘wolfgirl500’ and think I know the developer’s name from Illinois who has purchased the theatre. $3.5 million is what it will probably take to bring this cinema back to life. Refitting the balcony for 2 screens when it was originally a single screen cinema would not be my personal restoration decision though. The Edward Powers is there and was originally a WARNER theatre, but the name was changed when Mr. Powers contributed to its restoration. Also, the Southern Theatre is located in that OH community. Both of these theatres are listed on CT.
Does anyone in the Youngstown area know the current status of this crumbling theatre?
4/3/2006 — The Vindicator reported today that a developer from Illinois purchased the Paramount Theater building and plans to restore it for concerts and movies. According to the report, they will put $3.5 Million into the project.
The main floor will be leveled for tables. The Balcony will be refitted for movies (Two Screens).
According to the Youngstown 2010 citywide plan, the Paramount is “long vacant but still structurally sound” and there is a “preservation group determined to bring it out of mothballs.” Hopefully the Paramount will soon play a role in Downtown Youngstown’s ongoing rebirth.
Paul, I have not checked back here in awhile, I left a message for you tonight at the given number, I left my number as well. The city of Youngstown is doing a massive overhaul. New streets, new nightlife and a convocation center. A lot of buildings are being sold at the time for a song, in hopes that this once booming city will revive. There is no question that this building will serve a purpose, being two blocks away from a Youngstown State Uiversity. I have done some research at the moment. I will know everything by this evening. Please E-mail me. Or
youngstown central area community improvement corp or manhattan theatre properties
Allie: I am glad you did sneak in. Please remember that “crumbling paint and plaster” are sad but they do not tell the story of any large restoration/renovation. The biggest question is: Even if you restore it, what will play inside for the next five years? Can you pcreate a realistic pro forma with income and expense? We can. Shows and programming are the REAL drivers of development NOT the “let’s bring the palace back to life.” HVAC, parking, and programming are the new issues. Clever ownership, TIFs, and historic tax credits are the new tools. We could help the city as we just did in several theatres in Illinois last week. Who has the title to the Paramount today? Please call GVI at (630)480-3345. We can help.
I went, snuck I guess, into the Paramount tonight, the pictures did not capture the vastness, the smell, or the haunting lonliness. Beyond saving is an operative statement. The interior is literally crumbling. As I tresspassed through with my MAG light, the mere existence of me caused audible movement beyond the fallen plaster crunching beneath my feet. However, this theater is still very much alive, it posseses(or is possessed by) an overwhelming energy that deserves to be revitalized… somehow.
How many other live theatres are are open in Youngstown? This one looks like it can be saved! The BIG issue is programming. What will go on in it after its open? Live theatre, movies, dance concerts, all of the above and more? Have there been any Arts Assessment studies made…even if they are old? Who holds title to the building today?
Does anyone have an exterior photo of this theatre?
therobins;
The theatreorgans.com database shows the following information for the organ:
Manufacturer: Hillgreen-Lane
Opus: 478
Size: 2/20
Liberty Theater, installed 1917
Cost: $5,275
Condition: Unknown
The address given in Film Daily Yearbook, 1950 is 242 W. Federal St. and the seating capacity is 1,506.
Does anyone have any information about the original installation of the pipe organ at the Youngstown Paramount? It has been to my attention, though, that the organ is beyond saving. From the pictures, it does appear to be a 2 manual Kimball. Any information about the organ would be appreciated.
i have a picture from 1980 from interior second floor showing giant dancing art deco figures
Hate to say it but from these pictures the Paramount appears beyond saving.
The pictures posted by halehouse are great, but at the same time maddening. Thanks for posting those, I have always been curious as to what the inside of those places looked like. Does anyone have any pictures of how they looked in their hayday? I’m not old enough to have seen them when they were still running. If anyone has any more info on either theatre (State or Paramount) please email me! I’d love to hear more! Halehouse, could you please email me so I can ask you a few questions? Thanks!
This site has photos of the inside of the Paramount.
http://community.webshots.com/user/aorto
I would love to see it reopened in some form or another. I can not believe I am from a town that would allow most of there historic buildings to go to waste, such as Youngstown has.