The restoration project for the Paradise has stalled, and the physical structure remains in the same condition it was in two or more years ago, although debris, weed growth, and unprotected access make it visually less appealing than when it was last cleaned in November 2005. The bare walls, raked cement floor, elevated screen/stage area, balcony that also covers what was the entrance-lobby-bathroom area, and the steel girders that supported the now absent roof appear to remain structurally intact. Thus, restoration work could probably begin with only minimal preparations on the site itself. Unfortunately, the funds once available through the Urban Train Development for restoration no longer exist or have been designated to other projects. The current issue revolves around how to restart the restoration process as a jointly sponsored Community-University of Puerto Rico project that benefits from both private and public funding. That new beginning is the current state of affairs of the Paradise. I have exterior photos of the Paradise, but I will send new exterior and interior photos within the next two or three days.
The restoration project for the Paradise has stalled, and the physical structure remains in the same condition it was in two or more years ago, although debris, weed growth, and unprotected access make it visually less appealing than when it was last cleaned in November 2005. The bare walls, raked cement floor, elevated screen/stage area, balcony that also covers what was the entrance-lobby-bathroom area, and the steel girders that supported the now absent roof appear to remain structurally intact. Thus, restoration work could probably begin with only minimal preparations on the site itself. Unfortunately, the funds once available through the Urban Train Development for restoration no longer exist or have been designated to other projects. The current issue revolves around how to restart the restoration process as a jointly sponsored Community-University of Puerto Rico project that benefits from both private and public funding. That new beginning is the current state of affairs of the Paradise. I have exterior photos of the Paradise, but I will send new exterior and interior photos within the next two or three days.