The place IS gross and unsaveable. Great concert, destroyed theatre way beyond any semblance of saveability. There’s a TINY bit of original plasterwork way up in what I think used to be the mezzanine.
I guess you could gut the place and build a new theater in the existing shell. The building’s kind of cool from the outside.
-Later!
I should mention that although South Bend did manage to save two theatres, we have lost alot. Gone are the Colfax, Granada, Lyric, Auditorium, Indiana, and a couple of others I can’t even remember right now. On the verge of going is the little Avon theatre down the street from the Morris which started life in the ‘20’s as the Strand. See its description which I submitted to cinematreasures.org. This one, unfortunately, is probably to be demolished.
South Bend was smart enough to save two great theatres, this, the former Palace theater, and the State two blocks down the street. The State is still theatre-like inside and was nicely restored, but didn’t make it as a theatre, so they made it into a large night club. I’m at the Morris all the time as I live one mile down the street and I’m on their waiting list to be a volunteer usher. Love the place! Don’t know whatever became of E.M. Morris, but I want to research this in the future. I am amazed that no modern day version of E.M. Morris came along to save the Tivoli with all the money floating around these two cities. Sad.
Oh, if you really want to get in a worse mood than you already are, check out what’s happening with Boston’s Gaiety (sometimes spelled Gayety) theatre. It’s due to die any day now, if it hasen’t already done so.
Yes, the Tivoli did have a signature wall and it may have been saved. They were trying to figure out how to remove the wall intact without trashing it so they could put it in some local museum, but I never did hear if they succeeded or not. No, I didn’t go to the demolition mainly because I probably would have gone to jail for civil disobedience in my attempts to stand in front of the theater and stop the demolition.
I can’t believe the idiots couldn’t even save the front window. I Hope Mayor Rea has bad dreams for a month or gets haunted from some spirits that may have been released when the Tivoli was murdered. Oh, anyone know if that Friends of The Tivoli group was ever able to remove that dressing room plaster wall that had those signatures from the days of vaudeville on it? I hope they at least got that out of there.
Update: I got a letter in the mail yesterday from the South Bend Civic Theater stating that they have purchased the Scottish Rite building in South Bend for their new theater so I’m guessing that they have no plans at this point for the old Avon theater. Wonder what’s going to happen to the Avon.
This place is simply beautiful and looks to be unmodified in any way as far as I could tell from its original design. I went there to see the musical ‘We Will Rock You’, a story about the rock group Queen, here and the musical was so good and the theatre so nice, I went back to see it again 3 days later! Check it out if you can.
Things are looking up; from today’s South Bend Tribune:
Research to determine feasibility of restoring historic structure.
MISHAWAKA — What’s the best way to determine if a 79-year-old theater is worth saving?
Is it by the condition of the building, and the significance of its architecture? The number of people who hope to use it as a venue for their art? Or simply the value the theater could have as a part of the community?
To Paul Siemborski and Martin Vinik, answering that question is all in a day’s work — a day’s work that saw them conducting a whirlwind study of the old Tivoli Theater in downtown Mishawaka this week. Their efforts were part of a last-ditch drive to turn the showhouse into a centerpiece of the rebirth of city’s central business district.
“We’ve worked on more than 100 historic theater projects,” Siemborski said. “This is what we specialize in.”
Siemborski is a representative of Cleveland, Ohio-based Westlake, Reed and Leskosky. The consulting firm was hired by a joint effort of the Mishawaka Coalition to Save the Tivoli and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to determine if it is feasible to restore the Tivoli — a 1920s-era movie and stage theater at 208 N. Main St.
The future of the building has been in question since February, when Mishawaka Mayor Jeffrey Rea, citing multiple failed attempts to save the dilapidated building, announced plans to demolish the structure to pave way for new development.
The announcement has galvanized a group of preservationists, performers and other supporters to seek another opportunity to save the building in hopes of using it as an entertainment venue.
They have succeeded in temporarily halting plans to tear down the theater. The group also has raised enough money, thanks in part to a $10,000 DNR contribution, to pay for a detailed study of the contribution a restored Tivoli could make to the community — and whether or not it is financially feasible to save it.
And that’s why Siemborski and Martin Vinik, a New York-based arts planning consultant, spent a day and a half doing such tasks as taking detailed measurements of the building and conducting lengthy interviews with potential users.
Susan Baxter, who is chairman of the Mishawaka Coalition to Save the Tivoli, said she was amazed by the zeal and productivity of the men.
“It’s been absolutely exhausting,” she said with a laugh. “They are right to the point and extremely on task.
‘The breadth of experience they have is absolutely amazing,“ Baxter said. "And the passion … I thought I was passionate about saving this old gal.”
But what does that experience tell Siemborski and Vinik about hope for the Tivoli? Although they still faced the task of compiling the information they collected into a final report, both men were enthused — and optimistic — about the chances of bringing the Tivoli back from the brink.
“I think (supporters) have a very clear idea of the direction they want to go in, and that is extremely important,” Siemborski said.
Vinik, even after a long day of interviews with potential Tivoli users, also was optimistic.
“I absolutely love the building,” he said. “And there’s not a lot of things that can bring people downtown, and bring them downtown with money to spend, like a theater.
“Do I think this project is feasible? Yes, I do,” Vinik continued. “Actually, I am even more optimistic than I was before I got here.”
Baxter said the report generated by the study likely will be presented to members of Mishawaka Common Council, who will decide whether to uphold a vote by members of the Mishawaka Historic Preservation Commission granting temporary protection to the building.
Without the protection, demolition of the Tivoli could begin as early as this summer.
Staff writer Adam Jackson
…I had a chance to be there, too, but I got stuck in Michigan City. Rats!!! -Bill
I freely admit that I’m still learning about all this and your info is a big help. I simply hope that someone with an interest in old theatres will take on the project and save the Tivoli. Check out what someone did with the Morris Performing Arts Center in South Bend, IN years ago when they were going to tear it down…she had the bucks and saved it. Have a good one.
Tivoli Theater gets a reprieve
Preservation group’s vote gives supporters more time to raise funds to try to save building.
By ADAM JACKSON
Tribune Staff Writer
The Tivoli Theater, a fixture in downtown Mishawaka since the 1920s, has been given a reprieve from the wrecking ball.
Tribune File Photo/BARBARA ALLISON
MISHAWAKA — Once again, the historic Tivoli Theater has a new lease on life.
How long that life will be, however, depends entirely on the Mishawaka Common Council.
Mishawaka Historic Preservation Commission members voted 6-1 Tuesday to recommend interim protection to the aging show house, opened in 1925 at 208 N. Main St. The vote means that plans to demolish the building as early as this month will have to be put on hold until Common Council members can vote to either accept or reject the commission’s vote.
To Susan Baxter, who chairs the Save the Tivoli Coalition, the vote was nothing short of heaven-sent, not to mention a call to arms.
“It’s a miracle,” she said after Tuesday’s meeting. “The next step is to hit the streets and start raising money.”
Built as a vaudeville and film theater in the Roaring ‘20s, the Tivoli served its avowed purpose until the 1960s, when it was renamed the Cinema Art and used as a forum for adult movies and entertainment.
The city bought the theater in 1992, kicking off a series of attempts to redevelop the building, which is in need of extensive structural and cosmetic repair. Neither developer Ken Allen nor preservationist group Beiger Heritage were successful in scraping together the millions believed necessary to make the Tivoli usable.
But Baxter and other supporters of the idea of rescuing the old theater have rallied in the wake of Mayor Jeff Rea’s State of the City address in February, when he announced that he would seek to demolish the Tivoli after years of failed attempts to save the building.
The new plan of attack involves using donations to provide matching funds for state, federal and private grants to renovate the building, after which it would become a home base for several theater and art production groups, as well as a space available for traveling acts and local productions. Art and classic movies could also be shown at the refurbished theater.
How to help
The Mishawaka Coalition to Save the Tivoli is making an all-out effort to gather money to save the 1920s-era theater from demolition. To help, contact Susan Baxter at (574) 257-2714 or e-mail her at
It’s a plan wholly embraced by Tivoli supporters like Joe DeKever, who took the microphone at Tuesday’s meeting to show his support for it.
“The question here is a simple one,” he said. “Do we want a parking lot? Or do we want a restored theater?”
DeKever wasn’t alone. One by one, Tivoli supporters made their way forward at the meeting, citing reasons to save the theater. Some mentioned the historic significance of the old building, which is designed to make actors on the stage audible to all of the 1,500 seats. Others spoke about the theater as a way to bring arts and entertainment to the rebirth of Mishawaka’s downtown.
But the Tivoli’s supporters almost didn’t make it in time. City officials accepted bids for the Tivoli’s demolition in May, and only an offer by Rea to hold off on awarding a bid until after Tuesday’s meeting saved the theater from a contract for destruction.
Now, if Common Council members vote to uphold the interim protection, Rea and other city officials looking to tear down the city-owned property to pave the way for new development would have to satisfy a range of conditions, including applying for a certificate of compliance to show that they had met those conditions.
Rea said the commission’s decision was a disappointment that could add months to the demolition process.
“We had really hoped that (the commission) would recognize the wishes of the property owner,” Rea said. “We appreciate the enthusiasm of the (Tivoli supporters), but we have tried for years to find a way to save this building.”
Whether the Tivoli’s reprieve is a month or a year, Baxter vowed it would not be wasted. The state has already awarded the group a $10,000 grant to hire a Cleveland-based firm to conduct a marketing and feasibility study, which could begin as early as next week.
In the meantime, she and her fellow theater lovers plan to put foot to pavement as they canvass neighborhoods for donors to save the theater. Baxter said she expects to find plenty, thanks in part to Rea’s announcement that he would seek to demolish the building.
“The mayor has been a real catalyst in bringing interest back to the Tivoli,” she said. “If no one is interested in purchasing the naming rights to the restored auditorium, I’m willing to suggest we name it after him.”
Oh, and I guess I better credit the South Bend Tribune for these articles I’m posting because of copyright stuff!
And, how do I join and what can I do for the Coalition to Save the Tivoli???
Tonight’s the big night. Good luck you guys and may you win! I can’t be in attendance at the meeting today due to work. I was outside the Tivoli Sunday night showing the place to a friend and the facade is better than I remember. Later!
The fate of the Tivoli Theater is one step closer to being decided after city officials opened bids for the demolition of the building Tuesday.
Four bids for the demolition, ranging from $104,500 to $191,695, were opened at the city’s regular Board of Public Works meeting. A set of alternate bids that would include the preparation and painting of a wall that would be exposed by the demolition also was examined. The latter set of bids ranged from $112,034 to $202,519.
The contracts will not be awarded until after a June 1 meeting of the Mishawaka Historic Preservation Commission, during which commission members will decide whether to grant temporary protection to the building. If the protection is not given, the Tivoli could be demolished in mid-June.
Here’s some info from their website. This beautiful place was built in 1922 and is a mix of styles including Baroque, Art Deco, Spanish Rennaisance, and Greco-Roman. There are 2501 seats or 2560 if they use the pit for seating. I saw Brad Paisley (country singer) here last Saturday, May 22, 2004 and was in the first row pit. He pulled me on stage because of my t-shirt (Notre Dame) and I had the great opportunity to stand on stage and look out over the audience of 2100 people all looking at me in this beautiful place. Once in a lifetime experience! I live 1 mile from here so I’m in this theatre all the time and I just recently volunteered as an usher and am awaiting the phone call for my first show as an usher. Come see this place, it’s worth the trip! One intesting piece of trivia…someone bombed the restaurant that was once on the corner attached to this theatre in 1935. It was called the Palace Cafe and the bombs (3 of them) were set off by the owner as part of an insurance scam. I think he went to jail but I’m 100 percent sure on this. The bombs didn’t damage the theatre, fortunately, but they really trashed the restaurant. Bricks everywhere. Incidently, they are currently renovating that space and will be opening a new restaurant (The Vine) shortly. They also announced recently that they will be opening a little restaurant in the basement of the main theatre to be open for lunch only Monday through Friday and they will serve Panini sandwiches along with a bunch of other stuff. Opening day is June 14, 2004 and I’ll be there. My job at Memorial Hospital is just a short way down the street. Great to see this theatre thriving when so many have disappeared over the years. Wish this could happen in all the cities!!! One cool thing….I got a brick that was once part of this theatre when they added on a huge stagehouse to accomodate modern rock groups and all the stuff they bring along with them. Recent bands to play here in which I was in attendance: Jethro Tull, Gordon Lightfoot, Brad Paisley, Sevendust (tomorrow night and I’m in the first row pit, again), Alice Cooper, Chicago, Queensryche, Godsmack (4th row for this one), Train, Ted Nugent (VERY loud), REO Speedwagon (front row pit), Sammy Hagar, The South Bend Symphony, Cats, The Nutcracker, Snow White, Opera La Boheme (Verdi), The Sound of Music. Upcoming in July: Jewel, John Fogerty, Eddie Money. I’m broke from buying tickets, but I love this theatre!
Found this in today’s paper. There may be hope, yet.
MISHAWAKA — Since it was opened in 1925, the Tivoli Theater has seen vaudeville acts, Saturday matinees and even pornography beckoning patrons to its vaulted auditorium.
Now, the outcome of a meeting of Mishawaka’s Historic Preservation Commission could determine whether the empty theater will see something else — a six-month reprieve from the wrecking ball.
Despite plans to demolish the theater as early as June, Mishawaka Mayor Jeffrey Rea has agreed to comply with a request from the commission to delay opening bids for the demolition until after the commission’s June 1 meeting.
That gives commission members a chance to discuss granting the aging theater temporary protection status for six months, a power afforded to the group by statute.
“We can vote for a temporary delay,” William Gering, chairman of the commission, said. “There is a lot of interest in saving the theater, and this will give us time to discuss what to do.”
The fate of the Tivoli has been all but sealed since Rea delivered his State of the City address in February. Citing many failed attempts to rescue the once-grand theater from the state of decay it has fallen into, Rea announced his intentions to raze the building to pave the way for new development.
It’s a plan he vows will only be dropped if an investor possessing both a sound usage plan and the financial wherewithal to make it happen steps in.
So far, Rea said, that hasn’t happened, and that, despite his willingness to wait until after June 1 to open the demolition bids, he said he still plans to move ahead with demolition as soon as possible. He also said he’ll attend the commission meeting to argue against the six-month stay of execution.
“In six months, our demolition costs could go up,” he said. “We have to send an employee over there every day to check on the property.
“This has a definite financial impact on the city,” Rea said.
The announcement was good news for preservationists who hope the Tivoli can be restored to form a cultural centerpiece for the city’s forthcoming River Center development. Groups ranging from a small theater company to a regionwide male choir have expressed a desire to use the Tivoli as a home base, and officials with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources have joined the fight to keep the theater intact.
“I commend (Rea) on this decision,” said Jon Smith, who heads up the DNR’s Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology. “We really believe that there is still hope for the Tivoli, and I hope the members of the commission agree with us.”
Smith said that if the six-month delay in the demolition is granted, his organization would seek to prove the viability of the property and attract investors by hiring a Cleveland-based firm to conduct a feasibility study and economic impact study on the property. The firm he has in mind was instrumental in saving several decrepit Cleveland theaters from demolition, sparking the rebirth of the city’s theater district.
Whether he will get that chance remains to be seen. After more than a decade of failed attempts to save the Tivoli, Gering said it may take money, not studies, to stop the demolition.
“We can vote for a temporary delay, but the (Mishawaka Common Council) can override us,” he said. “I’d really like someone to tell me where the money is going to come from.
“But (the Tivoli) has a chance,” Gering said.
The meeting is set for 4 p.m. June 1 in the Council Chambers at Mishawaka City Hall, 600 E. Third St. The public is invited.
I thought I had read somewhere that they had found a way to proceed with the demolition before getting it de-listed. Yes, it would be great if they could at least keep the facade.
This theater is slated to die in the next few months and no one seems to care. They’re taking bids for its demolition in May (2004). I guess being on the National Register of Historic Places does not mean very much anymore. Oh, and they’re going to use the land for a parking lot. Go figure. They say to fix it will cost $3 million and the city fathers decided they have a better use for the money, whatever that is.
The place IS gross and unsaveable. Great concert, destroyed theatre way beyond any semblance of saveability. There’s a TINY bit of original plasterwork way up in what I think used to be the mezzanine.
I guess you could gut the place and build a new theater in the existing shell. The building’s kind of cool from the outside.
-Later!
I should mention that although South Bend did manage to save two theatres, we have lost alot. Gone are the Colfax, Granada, Lyric, Auditorium, Indiana, and a couple of others I can’t even remember right now. On the verge of going is the little Avon theatre down the street from the Morris which started life in the ‘20’s as the Strand. See its description which I submitted to cinematreasures.org. This one, unfortunately, is probably to be demolished.
South Bend was smart enough to save two great theatres, this, the former Palace theater, and the State two blocks down the street. The State is still theatre-like inside and was nicely restored, but didn’t make it as a theatre, so they made it into a large night club. I’m at the Morris all the time as I live one mile down the street and I’m on their waiting list to be a volunteer usher. Love the place! Don’t know whatever became of E.M. Morris, but I want to research this in the future. I am amazed that no modern day version of E.M. Morris came along to save the Tivoli with all the money floating around these two cities. Sad.
Oh, if you really want to get in a worse mood than you already are, check out what’s happening with Boston’s Gaiety (sometimes spelled Gayety) theatre. It’s due to die any day now, if it hasen’t already done so.
Yes, the Tivoli did have a signature wall and it may have been saved. They were trying to figure out how to remove the wall intact without trashing it so they could put it in some local museum, but I never did hear if they succeeded or not. No, I didn’t go to the demolition mainly because I probably would have gone to jail for civil disobedience in my attempts to stand in front of the theater and stop the demolition.
I can’t believe the idiots couldn’t even save the front window. I Hope Mayor Rea has bad dreams for a month or gets haunted from some spirits that may have been released when the Tivoli was murdered. Oh, anyone know if that Friends of The Tivoli group was ever able to remove that dressing room plaster wall that had those signatures from the days of vaudeville on it? I hope they at least got that out of there.
-later
When will the Photos option be reinstituted? Thanks.
Mishawaka politicians voted to destroy this theater this past Monday 10/25/04. This theater will die shortly. Those (edited for content).
Update: I got a letter in the mail yesterday from the South Bend Civic Theater stating that they have purchased the Scottish Rite building in South Bend for their new theater so I’m guessing that they have no plans at this point for the old Avon theater. Wonder what’s going to happen to the Avon.
This place is simply beautiful and looks to be unmodified in any way as far as I could tell from its original design. I went there to see the musical ‘We Will Rock You’, a story about the rock group Queen, here and the musical was so good and the theatre so nice, I went back to see it again 3 days later! Check it out if you can.
Things are looking up; from today’s South Bend Tribune:
Research to determine feasibility of restoring historic structure.
MISHAWAKA — What’s the best way to determine if a 79-year-old theater is worth saving?
Is it by the condition of the building, and the significance of its architecture? The number of people who hope to use it as a venue for their art? Or simply the value the theater could have as a part of the community?
To Paul Siemborski and Martin Vinik, answering that question is all in a day’s work — a day’s work that saw them conducting a whirlwind study of the old Tivoli Theater in downtown Mishawaka this week. Their efforts were part of a last-ditch drive to turn the showhouse into a centerpiece of the rebirth of city’s central business district.
“We’ve worked on more than 100 historic theater projects,” Siemborski said. “This is what we specialize in.”
Siemborski is a representative of Cleveland, Ohio-based Westlake, Reed and Leskosky. The consulting firm was hired by a joint effort of the Mishawaka Coalition to Save the Tivoli and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to determine if it is feasible to restore the Tivoli — a 1920s-era movie and stage theater at 208 N. Main St.
The future of the building has been in question since February, when Mishawaka Mayor Jeffrey Rea, citing multiple failed attempts to save the dilapidated building, announced plans to demolish the structure to pave way for new development.
The announcement has galvanized a group of preservationists, performers and other supporters to seek another opportunity to save the building in hopes of using it as an entertainment venue.
They have succeeded in temporarily halting plans to tear down the theater. The group also has raised enough money, thanks in part to a $10,000 DNR contribution, to pay for a detailed study of the contribution a restored Tivoli could make to the community — and whether or not it is financially feasible to save it.
And that’s why Siemborski and Martin Vinik, a New York-based arts planning consultant, spent a day and a half doing such tasks as taking detailed measurements of the building and conducting lengthy interviews with potential users.
Susan Baxter, who is chairman of the Mishawaka Coalition to Save the Tivoli, said she was amazed by the zeal and productivity of the men.
“It’s been absolutely exhausting,” she said with a laugh. “They are right to the point and extremely on task.
‘The breadth of experience they have is absolutely amazing,“ Baxter said. "And the passion … I thought I was passionate about saving this old gal.”
But what does that experience tell Siemborski and Vinik about hope for the Tivoli? Although they still faced the task of compiling the information they collected into a final report, both men were enthused — and optimistic — about the chances of bringing the Tivoli back from the brink.
“I think (supporters) have a very clear idea of the direction they want to go in, and that is extremely important,” Siemborski said.
Vinik, even after a long day of interviews with potential Tivoli users, also was optimistic.
“I absolutely love the building,” he said. “And there’s not a lot of things that can bring people downtown, and bring them downtown with money to spend, like a theater.
“Do I think this project is feasible? Yes, I do,” Vinik continued. “Actually, I am even more optimistic than I was before I got here.”
Baxter said the report generated by the study likely will be presented to members of Mishawaka Common Council, who will decide whether to uphold a vote by members of the Mishawaka Historic Preservation Commission granting temporary protection to the building.
Without the protection, demolition of the Tivoli could begin as early as this summer.
Staff writer Adam Jackson
…I had a chance to be there, too, but I got stuck in Michigan City. Rats!!! -Bill
I freely admit that I’m still learning about all this and your info is a big help. I simply hope that someone with an interest in old theatres will take on the project and save the Tivoli. Check out what someone did with the Morris Performing Arts Center in South Bend, IN years ago when they were going to tear it down…she had the bucks and saved it. Have a good one.
MAJORLY GOOD NEWS:
Tivoli Theater gets a reprieve
Preservation group’s vote gives supporters more time to raise funds to try to save building.
By ADAM JACKSON
Tribune Staff Writer
The Tivoli Theater, a fixture in downtown Mishawaka since the 1920s, has been given a reprieve from the wrecking ball.
Tribune File Photo/BARBARA ALLISON
MISHAWAKA — Once again, the historic Tivoli Theater has a new lease on life.
How long that life will be, however, depends entirely on the Mishawaka Common Council.
Mishawaka Historic Preservation Commission members voted 6-1 Tuesday to recommend interim protection to the aging show house, opened in 1925 at 208 N. Main St. The vote means that plans to demolish the building as early as this month will have to be put on hold until Common Council members can vote to either accept or reject the commission’s vote.
To Susan Baxter, who chairs the Save the Tivoli Coalition, the vote was nothing short of heaven-sent, not to mention a call to arms.
“It’s a miracle,” she said after Tuesday’s meeting. “The next step is to hit the streets and start raising money.”
Built as a vaudeville and film theater in the Roaring ‘20s, the Tivoli served its avowed purpose until the 1960s, when it was renamed the Cinema Art and used as a forum for adult movies and entertainment.
The city bought the theater in 1992, kicking off a series of attempts to redevelop the building, which is in need of extensive structural and cosmetic repair. Neither developer Ken Allen nor preservationist group Beiger Heritage were successful in scraping together the millions believed necessary to make the Tivoli usable.
But Baxter and other supporters of the idea of rescuing the old theater have rallied in the wake of Mayor Jeff Rea’s State of the City address in February, when he announced that he would seek to demolish the Tivoli after years of failed attempts to save the building.
The new plan of attack involves using donations to provide matching funds for state, federal and private grants to renovate the building, after which it would become a home base for several theater and art production groups, as well as a space available for traveling acts and local productions. Art and classic movies could also be shown at the refurbished theater.
How to help
The Mishawaka Coalition to Save the Tivoli is making an all-out effort to gather money to save the 1920s-era theater from demolition. To help, contact Susan Baxter at (574) 257-2714 or e-mail her at
It’s a plan wholly embraced by Tivoli supporters like Joe DeKever, who took the microphone at Tuesday’s meeting to show his support for it.
“The question here is a simple one,” he said. “Do we want a parking lot? Or do we want a restored theater?”
DeKever wasn’t alone. One by one, Tivoli supporters made their way forward at the meeting, citing reasons to save the theater. Some mentioned the historic significance of the old building, which is designed to make actors on the stage audible to all of the 1,500 seats. Others spoke about the theater as a way to bring arts and entertainment to the rebirth of Mishawaka’s downtown.
But the Tivoli’s supporters almost didn’t make it in time. City officials accepted bids for the Tivoli’s demolition in May, and only an offer by Rea to hold off on awarding a bid until after Tuesday’s meeting saved the theater from a contract for destruction.
Now, if Common Council members vote to uphold the interim protection, Rea and other city officials looking to tear down the city-owned property to pave the way for new development would have to satisfy a range of conditions, including applying for a certificate of compliance to show that they had met those conditions.
Rea said the commission’s decision was a disappointment that could add months to the demolition process.
“We had really hoped that (the commission) would recognize the wishes of the property owner,” Rea said. “We appreciate the enthusiasm of the (Tivoli supporters), but we have tried for years to find a way to save this building.”
Whether the Tivoli’s reprieve is a month or a year, Baxter vowed it would not be wasted. The state has already awarded the group a $10,000 grant to hire a Cleveland-based firm to conduct a marketing and feasibility study, which could begin as early as next week.
In the meantime, she and her fellow theater lovers plan to put foot to pavement as they canvass neighborhoods for donors to save the theater. Baxter said she expects to find plenty, thanks in part to Rea’s announcement that he would seek to demolish the building.
“The mayor has been a real catalyst in bringing interest back to the Tivoli,” she said. “If no one is interested in purchasing the naming rights to the restored auditorium, I’m willing to suggest we name it after him.”
Oh, and I guess I better credit the South Bend Tribune for these articles I’m posting because of copyright stuff!
And, how do I join and what can I do for the Coalition to Save the Tivoli???
Later.
Tonight’s the big night. Good luck you guys and may you win! I can’t be in attendance at the meeting today due to work. I was outside the Tivoli Sunday night showing the place to a friend and the facade is better than I remember. Later!
Another update in today’s paper:
Works board opens bids for theater demolition
The fate of the Tivoli Theater is one step closer to being decided after city officials opened bids for the demolition of the building Tuesday.
Four bids for the demolition, ranging from $104,500 to $191,695, were opened at the city’s regular Board of Public Works meeting. A set of alternate bids that would include the preparation and painting of a wall that would be exposed by the demolition also was examined. The latter set of bids ranged from $112,034 to $202,519.
The contracts will not be awarded until after a June 1 meeting of the Mishawaka Historic Preservation Commission, during which commission members will decide whether to grant temporary protection to the building. If the protection is not given, the Tivoli could be demolished in mid-June.
Oh, and this theatre started life as part of the Orpheum theatre chain.
Here’s some info from their website. This beautiful place was built in 1922 and is a mix of styles including Baroque, Art Deco, Spanish Rennaisance, and Greco-Roman. There are 2501 seats or 2560 if they use the pit for seating. I saw Brad Paisley (country singer) here last Saturday, May 22, 2004 and was in the first row pit. He pulled me on stage because of my t-shirt (Notre Dame) and I had the great opportunity to stand on stage and look out over the audience of 2100 people all looking at me in this beautiful place. Once in a lifetime experience! I live 1 mile from here so I’m in this theatre all the time and I just recently volunteered as an usher and am awaiting the phone call for my first show as an usher. Come see this place, it’s worth the trip! One intesting piece of trivia…someone bombed the restaurant that was once on the corner attached to this theatre in 1935. It was called the Palace Cafe and the bombs (3 of them) were set off by the owner as part of an insurance scam. I think he went to jail but I’m 100 percent sure on this. The bombs didn’t damage the theatre, fortunately, but they really trashed the restaurant. Bricks everywhere. Incidently, they are currently renovating that space and will be opening a new restaurant (The Vine) shortly. They also announced recently that they will be opening a little restaurant in the basement of the main theatre to be open for lunch only Monday through Friday and they will serve Panini sandwiches along with a bunch of other stuff. Opening day is June 14, 2004 and I’ll be there. My job at Memorial Hospital is just a short way down the street. Great to see this theatre thriving when so many have disappeared over the years. Wish this could happen in all the cities!!! One cool thing….I got a brick that was once part of this theatre when they added on a huge stagehouse to accomodate modern rock groups and all the stuff they bring along with them. Recent bands to play here in which I was in attendance: Jethro Tull, Gordon Lightfoot, Brad Paisley, Sevendust (tomorrow night and I’m in the first row pit, again), Alice Cooper, Chicago, Queensryche, Godsmack (4th row for this one), Train, Ted Nugent (VERY loud), REO Speedwagon (front row pit), Sammy Hagar, The South Bend Symphony, Cats, The Nutcracker, Snow White, Opera La Boheme (Verdi), The Sound of Music. Upcoming in July: Jewel, John Fogerty, Eddie Money. I’m broke from buying tickets, but I love this theatre!
Found this in today’s paper. There may be hope, yet.
MISHAWAKA — Since it was opened in 1925, the Tivoli Theater has seen vaudeville acts, Saturday matinees and even pornography beckoning patrons to its vaulted auditorium.
Now, the outcome of a meeting of Mishawaka’s Historic Preservation Commission could determine whether the empty theater will see something else — a six-month reprieve from the wrecking ball.
Despite plans to demolish the theater as early as June, Mishawaka Mayor Jeffrey Rea has agreed to comply with a request from the commission to delay opening bids for the demolition until after the commission’s June 1 meeting.
That gives commission members a chance to discuss granting the aging theater temporary protection status for six months, a power afforded to the group by statute.
“We can vote for a temporary delay,” William Gering, chairman of the commission, said. “There is a lot of interest in saving the theater, and this will give us time to discuss what to do.”
The fate of the Tivoli has been all but sealed since Rea delivered his State of the City address in February. Citing many failed attempts to rescue the once-grand theater from the state of decay it has fallen into, Rea announced his intentions to raze the building to pave the way for new development.
It’s a plan he vows will only be dropped if an investor possessing both a sound usage plan and the financial wherewithal to make it happen steps in.
So far, Rea said, that hasn’t happened, and that, despite his willingness to wait until after June 1 to open the demolition bids, he said he still plans to move ahead with demolition as soon as possible. He also said he’ll attend the commission meeting to argue against the six-month stay of execution.
“In six months, our demolition costs could go up,” he said. “We have to send an employee over there every day to check on the property.
“This has a definite financial impact on the city,” Rea said.
The announcement was good news for preservationists who hope the Tivoli can be restored to form a cultural centerpiece for the city’s forthcoming River Center development. Groups ranging from a small theater company to a regionwide male choir have expressed a desire to use the Tivoli as a home base, and officials with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources have joined the fight to keep the theater intact.
“I commend (Rea) on this decision,” said Jon Smith, who heads up the DNR’s Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology. “We really believe that there is still hope for the Tivoli, and I hope the members of the commission agree with us.”
Smith said that if the six-month delay in the demolition is granted, his organization would seek to prove the viability of the property and attract investors by hiring a Cleveland-based firm to conduct a feasibility study and economic impact study on the property. The firm he has in mind was instrumental in saving several decrepit Cleveland theaters from demolition, sparking the rebirth of the city’s theater district.
Whether he will get that chance remains to be seen. After more than a decade of failed attempts to save the Tivoli, Gering said it may take money, not studies, to stop the demolition.
“We can vote for a temporary delay, but the (Mishawaka Common Council) can override us,” he said. “I’d really like someone to tell me where the money is going to come from.
“But (the Tivoli) has a chance,” Gering said.
The meeting is set for 4 p.m. June 1 in the Council Chambers at Mishawaka City Hall, 600 E. Third St. The public is invited.
Tivoli Theatre in Mishawaka, IN but its scheduled to die in a few months so you better hurry. 3 million is the going estimate to restore it.
Sounds kind of gross and unsaveable. I’m going to see Twisted Sister there on August 1 and will explore the place & report back.
I thought I had read somewhere that they had found a way to proceed with the demolition before getting it de-listed. Yes, it would be great if they could at least keep the facade.
This theater is slated to die in the next few months and no one seems to care. They’re taking bids for its demolition in May (2004). I guess being on the National Register of Historic Places does not mean very much anymore. Oh, and they’re going to use the land for a parking lot. Go figure. They say to fix it will cost $3 million and the city fathers decided they have a better use for the money, whatever that is.