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Preservation Alert
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September 22, 2005
Hunterdon Theater To Be Razed?
FLEMINTON, NJ — The former Hunterdon Theater building in Flemington might be razed according to a Hunterdon County Democrat article. On October 5, Walgreen’s will propose a new building on the site before the town’s planning commission. The Hunterdon closed September 16, 1993 and was renovated into Coat World. The building has been vacant for several years. Potentially, the Church Street landmark could be restored to its former use.
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August 23, 2005
Beverly Theater Demolition Begins Today
BEVERLY HILLS, CA — According to the Friends of the Boyd Weekly Update: “Demolition is starting today on the famed Beverly Theater in Beverly Hills. Opened in 1925 with Indo-Chinese design, the movie palace’s conversion to a retail store in the 1970’s retained its ornate landmark exterior & ornate interior. Preservationists objected unsuccessfully to the loss of this Los Angeles landmark.”
Cinema Treasures users weigh in as well on the theater’s page on this site.
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August 21, 2005
Raymond Theatre Hearing Monday Night
The following email was sent by the Friends of the Raymond Theatre:
“FRIENDS OF THE RAYMOND THEATRE
NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING
Dear Friends of the Raymond Theatre:
We were just notified that 50% Design Review of the Raymond Theatre project will be conducted this Monday, August 22, 2005. We need speakers and supporters to attend this important hearing.
If you are going to speak at the hearing or attend, please call or e-mail us immediately to let us know.
If anyone would like talking points for the hearing, preferably we need to know before
Monday.HEARING DATE:
DATE: Monday, August 22, 2005
START TIME: 6:30 pm
PLACE: Pasadena Conference Center Building
(next to Pasadena Civic Auditorium)
300 East Green Street, Room 211, PasadenaSTAFF REPORT:
To see the City Staff Report, see Design Review for 8/22/05. Property location 121-129 North Raymond Avenue.
Please e-mail your comments to the Design Commission at:
(Include your name and address and request your letter be placed in the legal record for the Raymond Theatre)
If the public wants the Raymond Theatre to be preserved, it is imperative to have your support at this hearing. We can’t save the Raymond Theatre if the public is not there to show support. A few hours of your time, WILL make a difference. We hope to see you there.
For more information:
Friends of the Raymond Theatre
Office: (818) 541-9522 – Fax: (818) 541-9523
Website: www.raymondtheatre.com" -
August 15, 2005
Citywide Effort To Halt Demolition of The Trylon Theater
REGO PARK, NY — Since its closure in late 1999, community groups, historic preservationists, and the local media have tried to clarify the fate of the iconic Trylon Theater, located at 98-81 Queens Boulevard.
Sadly, the property is now undergoing profound alteration for its new use as a social services facility for the Bukharian community. At this writing, the entrance pavilion has been walled off, facade features have been destroyed, and the interior is being gutted. Original painted murals, decorative tilework depicting the Trylon and Perisphere (the 1939 New York World’s Fair symbols), and marquee elements have all been destroyed and no salvage is being conducted.
Appeals to NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission and NYC Councilwoman Melinda Katz to halt the destruction and achieve a preservation-minded adaptive reuse plan for the defunct theater have been unsuccessful thus far. The Art Deco Society of New York (ADSNY) and the Historic Districts Council (HDC) have spearheaded the effort to intervene — even at this late stage — to protect the outstanding and unique Art Deco property.
The Trylon Theater, designed by Joseph Unger, reflects the cultural impact of the 1939 World’s Fair and its theme of “The World of Tomorrow,” in decorative tiles, murals, and overall aesthetics. The streamlined Art Deco property is a rare surviving neighborhood movie theater due to the loss of hundreds of such buildings in New York and meets criteria to become a designated and protected Historic Landmark.
**To lend your support: Please contact (Journalist/Preservationist) & send carbon copies to (Art Deco Society of NY) & (Historic Districts Council) & .
This is A PRESERVATION EMERGENCY!!!
Call Councilwoman Melinda Katz (718-544-8800) who was the only member who opposed landmark designation & is responsible for this act of destruction. Also e-mail her at .ny.us.
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July 29, 2005
Chicago’s GATEWAY to Fall?
CHICAGO, IL — In yesterday’s NewsFlash by the Theatre Historical Society, former president Joe DuciBella announced that negotiations are well underway to demolish this Rapp & Rapp atmospheric to build more condos in a city with one of the highest percentages of condos in the nation. The famous duo did few atmospherics, and therefore this charming design will be all the greater loss.
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July 8, 2005
Important Public Hearing For Pasadena’s Historic Raymond Theatre
NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING
HEARING THIS MONDAY, JULY 11, 2005
WE NEED YOUR ATTENDANCE!HEARING DATE:
DATE: Wednesday, July 11, 2005
START TIME: 6:30 P.M. sharp!
PLACE: Pasadena Conference Center Building (next to Pasadena Civic Auditorium) 300 East Green Street, Room 211, PasadenaPlease attend Monday’s hearing and comment on the following:
Request that interior demolition of the theatre STOP, because no building permits have been issued for demolition and the Raymond Renaissance project has not passed final design review.
Request the Design Review Commission conduct Design Review of the exterior facade of the Raymond Theatre. Work has commenced with no Design Review or public participation.
Give your views about the exterior design of the new building and the fly loft.
Ask that interior review of the Raymond Theatre not be left till final Design Review.
If you would like to speak and need talking points, please let us know BEFORE this Saturday.
If you can’t attend, please write the Design Commission a letter:
• Add your full name, address and phone
• Ask your letter be submitted to the public record for the Raymond Theatre.
• Send us a blind copy of your letter. -
June 27, 2005
Tampa’s Strand Theater Redevelopment Update
TAMPA, FL — Tampa’s Strand Theater seems a step closer to demolition although the city’s historic preservation manager is working to save at least the facade, according to an article in the St. Petersburg Times. The block the Strand is on was purchased in January 2005 by a managed health care executive Pradip C. Patel, who plans to put a condo tower with up to 500 units.
Annie Hart, the city’s historic preservation manager, is hoping that Mr. Patel will incorporate the facade of the Strand, built in 1915, into the design and perhaps preserve part of the theater. The remaining block, part of the massive Maas Brothers department store that closed in 1991 is likely too far gone to be saved. Ms. Hart can be reached at 813.274.7984.
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June 23, 2005
Raymond Theatre Update
PASADENA, CA — The following email was sent by the Friends of the Raymond Theatre:
“Dear Friends of the Raymond Theatre:
We kindly ask all our supporters to take a second to read this e-mail. A rumor has been going around that we have lost our battle to save the Raymond Theatre. To make sure our supporters are clear on the issues…
The Raymond Theatre has NOT been lost.
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June 16, 2005
McHenry Outdoor Theatre Going Dark?
McHENRY, IL — The McHenry Outdoor Theatre, which has been entertaining McHenry County residents since 1955, and is one of only three operating drive-ins in Chicagoland, may be having its last season this year, according to the Chicago Tribune. The still very popular theater located between the village of Lakemoor and the city of McHenry is surrounded by ever-encroaching development, and for a couple years now, there has been the rumor of the McHenry Outdoor’s demise.
The theater’s manager, Danielle Munnich, does acknowledge that the owner of the McHenry, Tom Rhyan, doesn’t have a buyer but is in fact considering selling the property. “So far no one has made the right offer.” says Munnich. Just last week, Gary Castaldo, a DJ on STAR-105 FM, made news by having himself chained to a tree on the drive-in property to raise awareness of the drive-in’s potential closure, saying he’d remain there until he got 5,000 signatures on his petition to save the theater (which he did in six hours).
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June 10, 2005
DuPage Theatre Demolition Alert
Dear Theatre Supporters,
In case you haven’t already heard, the Lombard village board voted 4-2 in favor of demolishing the DuPage Theatre. This was a shocking turn of events, given the positive direction our new development plan was taking.
The plan would fully restore the theatre, add retail and residential space to the theatre property, and be funded through grants, private donations and TIF dollars. And, it enjoyed an outpouring of community support demonstrated by 1000 lawn signs displayed over the course of 2 weeks.