Demolitions

  • July 8, 2009

    Regency Cinema demolished

    RACINE, WI — Demolition began on Monday, July 6th, 2009 of theRegency Value Cinemas.

    The movie screen had been torn down, the seats were empty and the ruins were real — the handiwork of a yellow Caterpillar 235C there on Monday to begin demolishing the theater at 5230 Durand Ave., which closed in mid-April. Azarian Wrecking is in charge of the demolition, and is expected to be there until the end of next week.

    Randy Jansen, 44, looked on with a camera around his neck.

    “If I’d have known the seats were in there I’d have said "I’ll buy a row,”‘ said Jansen, there to take pictures for his wife Melissa, who worked at the theater for 15 years.

    Read the full story in the Journal Times.

  • May 27, 2009

    Parts of iconic Mission Drive-In come down

    SAN ANTONIO, TX — The shuttered Mission Drive-In was partially destroyed early last week as part of a new project.

    The four-screen theater opened March 27, 1948, and once featured a marquee of neon lights. Santikos Theatres closed the Mission Drive-In in 2007 after rampant vandalism, and the city later bought the 26-acre site to make way for a public library and other developments.

    “We are deficient when it comes to libraries in this area,” City Councilwoman Jennifer Ramos said.

    Read the full story in My San Antonio.

  • May 7, 2009

    Boulevard Theatre demolished over the weekend

    SALISBURY, MD — The Boulevard Theatre in downtown Salisbury suffered an ignoble ending over the weekend as a wrecking crew demolished the theatre building in its entirety. Like many of the theatres of its time it eventually attempted to remain viable by dividing the original auditorium into several smaller ones.

    There seems to be little history available on the theatre other than it opened in 1948. Its interior was described as art deco and seated approximately 700. The seating and some art deco glass blocks were saved prior to the demolition.

    The last incarnation of the Boulevard was as the Movies 6. It was managed by Regal Cinemas chain until the 1990s when they donated the building to the Salisbury Wicomico Arts Council. The group planned to turn the theatre into a performing arts center but failed to raise funding for the project and eventually sold the building for $201,000.

  • November 10, 2008

    Multiplex transformed into gym

    NORTH HUNTINGDON, PA — The four-screen Norwin Hills Cinema is being transformed into Galaxy Fitness with an anticipated January opening.

    Cinema 1 will become a studio with 60 pieces of cardio equipment while the walls between the other theaters will be torn down to accommodate a fitness center for kids.

    The sloped flooring is being leveled with Styrofoam and then topped with concrete. Levelling the floor is the most difficult aspect of the renovation.

  • November 7, 2008

    Shady Oak Theater being demolished

    CLAYTON, MO — The 75-year-old single screen “Shady Oak” theater is currently being torn down to make way for a parking lot.

    The town is saving its 4-by-6 foot sign that stood on a post outside the theater to possibly incorporate into a future project.

    Closed since 2000, the Shady Oak fell victim to newer multiplexes nearby as well as a lack of downtown parking.

  • October 8, 2008

    Roosevelt torn down

    KENOSHA, WI —
    The Roosevelt Theatre: December 25, 1927 – October 6, 2008.
    Its career as a showplace ended in mid-March, 1985.
    Demolition began Monday morning. RIP

  • October 3, 2008

    Fox Theater deteriorates further

    LARAMIE, WY — The old Fox Theater has deteriorated to the point that city officials have blocked off the sidewalk and parking spaces in front of it and are planning to demolish it.

    The theater has a hole in its roof which is in danger of collapsing. The building is also contaminated with asbestos and pigeon droppings creating a health hazard.

  • September 22, 2008

    Old Martin Theater demolished

    DOTHAN, AL — The beautiful Martin Theater on Main Street was torn down in late August of 2008 to make way for more downtown parking. How sad.

    When I was a child I saw “The Sound of Music” there and also many, many Disney movies. Wonderful memories! Another cinema treasure lost forever!

  • August 7, 2008

    Last curtain for Bomes

    EAST PROVIDENCE, RI — With not enough support to save and restore it, the Bomes Theatre finally came down this week.

    The Bomes Theatre across from City Hall started coming down last week, when part of the structure fell to the street.

    Beginning this morning, it will come down in earnest.

    A demolition team will begin razing the old movie theater, which was built in the 1930s and had been a city landmark.

    Read the full story in the Providence Journal.

  • July 10, 2008

    NYC Demolition Review support

    NEW YORK, NY — Many cities have adopted Demolition Review amendments to their local zoning codes to prevent destroying historic, but undesignated historic treasures. NYC is way behind the curve on this one. But on June 9, 2008, the 93rd Street Beautification Association submitted a proposed Demolition Review amendment to the NYC Council.

    The Demolition Review amendment is currently under consideration by members of the NYC Council. Please help move this amendment into law by showing your support for protecting our city’s historic treasures ! Thanks !!!

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