Apollo Theatre Scales Back Plans; Foundation President Resigns

posted by Ross Melnick on September 12, 2002 at 10:54 am

NEW YORK, NY — The Apollo Theater Foundation, which currently operates the historic Harlem theater, has announced the resignation of Derek Q. Johnson, the foundation’s president and chief executive. The announcement follows a decision to scale back plans to increase the size and capability of the former movie house.

According to the New York Times, plans to expand the the Apollo into an adjacent lot and incorporate the nearby Victoria Theater have been cancelled due to economic concerns. The foundation will now focus on its current renovation of the Apollo only and may revisit the expansion effort in the future.

Johnson will step down on September 30th and will focus on other real estate development options. Meanwhile, the Apollo’s initial $12 million external renovation will be completed by early 2003 with a $38 million restoration of the interior to follow.

(Thanks to Dennis Huber for the update.)