Hi everyone, I live right across the street from the theater and I see it daily. I’m formerly an architect and currently a land use attorney, so this building and its history/future are just fascinating to me. I’ve got no affiliation with the theater at all, except that we share a street. It’s encouraging to hear all the comments on this page about potential redevelopment. Davenport, I wish you the best in your efforts. Any updates?
Here’s what I’ve seen recently around the theater. Yes, about a month ago a construction crew tore off the old marquee. And yes, the marquee looked worn out and likely was a danger to people walking under it. I can see why it wouldn’t have been part of a rehabilitation project, particularly because it wasn’t part of the original design. Yet, I used to see people (mostly kids) posing for pictures under the marquee almost on a daily basis. So, I have mixed feelings about it coming down when no additional work is currently going on. Also, the city has started doing upgrades to the sidewalks and planters on C street, which borders the theater. As some of you know, this work is a long time coming. I actually love hearing the sound of jackhammers working on it in the morning. Lastly, there’s a huge rat/mice village living in and around the theater. In the early morning, I see packs of them coming and going like anxious businessmen late for a meeting.
All in all, I think people in the neighborhood care about the theater, but they’ve given up hope. The few times I’ve brought it up in conversations with friends or co-workers, it always gets such mixed reviews. Inevitably, one or two people say “Oh that building, I love it!†and everyone else doesn’t even know the building exists.
Hi everyone, I live right across the street from the theater and I see it daily. I’m formerly an architect and currently a land use attorney, so this building and its history/future are just fascinating to me. I’ve got no affiliation with the theater at all, except that we share a street. It’s encouraging to hear all the comments on this page about potential redevelopment. Davenport, I wish you the best in your efforts. Any updates?
Here’s what I’ve seen recently around the theater. Yes, about a month ago a construction crew tore off the old marquee. And yes, the marquee looked worn out and likely was a danger to people walking under it. I can see why it wouldn’t have been part of a rehabilitation project, particularly because it wasn’t part of the original design. Yet, I used to see people (mostly kids) posing for pictures under the marquee almost on a daily basis. So, I have mixed feelings about it coming down when no additional work is currently going on. Also, the city has started doing upgrades to the sidewalks and planters on C street, which borders the theater. As some of you know, this work is a long time coming. I actually love hearing the sound of jackhammers working on it in the morning. Lastly, there’s a huge rat/mice village living in and around the theater. In the early morning, I see packs of them coming and going like anxious businessmen late for a meeting.
All in all, I think people in the neighborhood care about the theater, but they’ve given up hope. The few times I’ve brought it up in conversations with friends or co-workers, it always gets such mixed reviews. Inevitably, one or two people say “Oh that building, I love it!†and everyone else doesn’t even know the building exists.