Winter Garden Theater
313 N. Main Street,
Jamestown,
NY
14701
313 N. Main Street,
Jamestown,
NY
14701
4 people
favorited this theater
Showing 26 - 50 of 136 comments
I see there are 12 signatures on the petition….let’s reach for 1,000 signatures in the new year and make it a Happy Winter Garden New Year!
Happy New Years Everyone!!!!
I will sign the petition, too and would suggest to any fellow CT member viewing this link to do so as well. Thanks so much.
I have signed the petition and passed it on to friends. What a shame it would be to lose the Winter Garden Theatre.
View link
Lets all Take apart in saving this theater!!
winter garden: The size of the group isn’t important it is who you have in that group that will make the difference. A civic organization needs to be founded to get behind this effort! Many times it is simply called Friends of…..and in this case it would be Friends of the Winter Garden. This group would reach out to the community to raise much needed interest and most importantly, funds. I’m sure there are many residents who recall going to the WG to see their first movie and have many memories they could share which would help raise interest.
winter garden: I have received word from a friend in Jamestown via email that the theatre is to be demolished so please act quickly to at least be given 60 days to come up with a plan!
I HAVE TWO PEOPLE THAT ARE FRIENDS, BUT WOULD LIKE ADD MORE TO THE GROUP. ANYONE IS WELCOME.
And do you have a group that has been formed to work with you?
saving winter garden: Very nice website!
I Started a Website, ck it out if you have Time.http://y.ahoo.it/usAaBl
Good luck and keep us posted on all developments and details.
Im trying very hard. and wont give up on saving this land mark!
Im afraid meet with them alone… Im 26, and five ft tell, 99 pounds.lol. whoa…
saving winter garden: By the looks of it, you have been doing your homework on the Winter Garden. Hope it all helps to save the Winter Garden and I think a visit with city officials is in order!
I conducted some research, I thought you should That they city did rescive money back in 2002. for the Winter Garden theatre.Up above is a copy. Umm Im being told that there is no funding for the theatre at this time. Im working very hard on paper work right now. and trying to get a hold of senators of the 11th Congress, like Kristen Gillbrand. and otheirs.
Statement of Steven Centi, Director of Development, City of Jamestown, New York
Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Oversight
of the House Committee on Ways and Means
Hearing on Tax Incentives for Renewal Communities
May 21, 2002
Jamestown, New York: A Snapshot View
Jamestown, New York is a city of 31,730 people situated in the southwest corner of New York State approximately 75 miles southwest of Buffalo, New York. As the largest City in Chautauqua County, New York, Jamestown serves as the principal urban center for Southwestern New York and portions of Northwestern Pennsylvania. Jamestown lies within a three-hour drive to Toronto, Canada, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Cleveland, Ohio, and Rochester, New York. Within a 500-mile radius of the City of Jamestown are over 120 million people representing over 50% of the population of the United States.
Boasting a high quality of life, the Jamestown area is surrounded by bountiful recreational amenities such as Chautauqua Lake, Allegheny State Park, numerous ski resorts, plentiful golf courses, and the nearby Lake Erie. The world famous Chautauqua Institution is only a short drive away. The City of Jamestown also maintains over 540 acres of City parkland and the City-owned Russell E. Diethrick, Jr. Park is the home to the Jamestown Jammers, a Class A New York-Penn League professional baseball team.
Jamestown takes great pride in its hometown heroes of world renowned naturalist and ornithologist Roger Tory Peterson; United States Supreme Court Justice and Nuremberg lead prosecutor Robert H. Jackson; New York State Governor and U. S. Senator Reuben E. Fenton; and the first lady of comedy Lucille Ball.
High quality educational institutions such as the Jamestown Public School System, which is the largest in the Southern Tier of New York State; Jamestown Community College, New York’s first community college; and the 115 year-old Jamestown Business College, characterize Jamestown. Jamestown residents take particular pride in their Jamestown High School Red Raiders football team, which has been the New York State Class AA football champions three times over the past eight years.
The Questions:
Why Renewal Community?
Why Jamestown, New York?
These interrelated questions revolve around the current problems facing Jamestown, New York and similar small cities across the United States that did not ride the wave of economic prosperity of the 1990’s. According to a recent report from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the City of Jamestown has the lowest per capita income of any Upstate New York metropolitan area at $21,208. This compares unfavorably with the national average of $29,469. At the same time, Jamestown has the highest per capita property tax rate in New York State. In an era of declining revenue sources and escalating operating expenses this combination is not conducive to attracting new development to our city.
Jamestown is characterized by aged residential and industrial building stock. According to the 1990 census, over 66% of Jamestown’s residential homes were built prior to 1940 and only about 3% were built subsequent to 1980! The same can be said for the antiquated multi-story industrial building stock that does not suit the needs of today’s manufacturers. In addition, it has been the City’s experience that the demolitions of vacant industrial buildings to make way for new development sites has almost inevitably been followed by costly and time-consuming environmental remediation efforts.
Over time, Jamestown has seen an out-migration of higher paying manufacturing jobs and their replacement with lower paying service-related positions. In the wake of the loss of these positions has been a general deterioration of the City’s neighborhoods as homeowners have either moved from the City or can no longer maintain their properties as they once could. Jamestown has seen a steady decline in population over time as the City has lost over 24% of its residents since 1960. Further exacerbating the neighborhood decline has been the general aging of the overall population as older homeowners move to more convenient subsidized senior units thus leaving their once owner-occupied properties to absentee landlord investors who have not maintained the properties to their previous standards.
Financially, the City of Jamestown suffers from many of the same problems as other Western New York communities. The bottom line is that there is too little revenue to cover escalating expenses. During the most recent FY 2002 budget process, it was confusing as to whether the local media was referring to Jamestown or Buffalo, NY or Rochester, NY as the same issues were at the root of all these cities financial woes. Rapidly rising healthcare costs, losses of taxable assessment, declining populations leading to smaller shares of sales tax revenues, uncertain and less than equitable shares of state supplemental aid, and collective bargaining contracts that literally strangle city resources. Since 1990 the City of Jamestown has lost over $13 million in taxable assessment, a reduction of over 6.5% from the 1990 level of $205,562,660. The debilitating effect of this revenue-to-expense disparity in Jamestown has been an accumulated operating fund deficit of over $1.4 million and the reduction of the City of Jamestown’s bond rating to baaa3, which effectively eliminates the City’s ability to borrow money.
The City of Jamestown’s application for the Renewal Community designation was predicated on turning around the financial fortunes of Jamestown, New York by providing another tool to “level the playing field†and attracting prospective developers to our city. The Renewal Community tax credits will be used in combination with New York State tax credits currently available through the Greater Jamestown Empire Zone (GJEZ) to offset and overcome the perception that Jamestown is an expensive place to develop and own and operate a business. These benefits, coupled with Jamestown Board of Public Utilities (BPU) electric power rates, (which are among the lowest in the nation), will serve to make Jamestown much more attractive as a development destination.
In addition to the aforementioned tax and utility benefits, the City of Jamestown is well poised to move forward, with a wide array of development tools at its disposal. In addition to being designated as one of forty (40) new Renewal Communities, Jamestown is also a national U.S. Department of Justice Weed and Seed Community, a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) entitlement community for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Program funding. Locally, low-interest rate development funding is available through the Jamestown Local Development Corporation (JLDC), the Greater Jamestown Zone Capital Corporation (GJZCC), and the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA). Upon his election, Jamestown Mayor Samuel Teresi re-invigorated the dormant Jamestown Strategic Planning and Partnerships Commission that is currently undertaking an aggressive, comprehensive, community-based strategic planning initiative to map out the City’s future.
Jamestown, NY – Renewal Community (RC) Designee: The Future is Brighter
While the aforementioned financial issues represent a challenge to the City of Jamestown, historically the City has shown the resiliency to bounce back. There is much encouragement on the horizon primarily through effective leadership that is aggressively reducing both the size and cost of City and County government as well as an unprecedented level of public, private, and not-for-profit collaboration working together to turn things around. Jamestown’s selection as a Renewal Community is a testimony to the confidence the federal government has in the City’s capacity to leverage the RC benefits with other available incentives as well as the City’s demonstrated ability to work in partnership with the following organizations:
Greater Jamestown Empire Zone (GJEZ) â€" a cooperative partnership between the City of Jamestown, the Village of Falconer, the Town of Ellicott, and the Town of Busti which utilizes New York State tax credits to leverage job creation and industrial expansion projects.
Greater Jamestown Zone Capital Corporation (GJZCC) â€" the lending arm of the GJEZ. The first Zone Capital Corporation formed in New York State.
Jamestown Local Development Corporation (JLDC) â€" the lending arm of the City of Jamestown. Since 1981, this revolving loan fund has made loans to over 220 Jamestown businesses totaling over $12,500,000, leveraging over $75,500,000 in private investment and creating over 2,000 jobs.
Jamestown Urban Renewal Agency (JURA) â€" administers the City of Jamestown’s annual Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Program entitlements from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Since 1990, JURA has successfully delivered over $20,000,000 worth of CDBG and HOME program projects for economic development, housing rehabilitation, neighborhood revitalization, and Americans With Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) handicapped accessibility improvements to the City.
Jamestown Weed and Seed Program â€" this Department of Justice designation for Jamestown has provided funding to reduce crime, eliminate drugs, and promote increased neighborhood involvement and revitalization.
Neighborhood Watch Coalition â€" works in conjunction with Weed and Seed to increase neighborhood awareness and involve residents to “take back their neighborhoodsâ€.
Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation (DJDC) â€" a local not-for-profit that advocates for Downtown Jamestown Central Business District revitalization. Currently coordinating a Downtown urban design plan with Dr. Norman Mintz of Corning, NY fame.
Jamestown Center City Development Corporation (JCCDC) â€" a local not-for-profit created by the local philanthropic Gebbie Foundation that is constructing a $21,000,000 Downtown Jamestown Dual-Pad Ice Arena scheduled to open in August 2002.
Chautauqua Works, Inc. â€" coordinated workforce investment board that identifies job skills training and job opportunities for Jamestown area residents.
Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) â€" anot-for-profit Chautauqua County economic development agency that works in partnership with the City and GJEZ on numerous expansion and new development projects.
Jamestown Strategic Planning and Partnerships Commission â€" local commission appointed by the Mayor of Jamestown and ratified by Jamestown City Council that is currently undertaking an aggressive, comprehensive strategic planning initiative to map out the City’s future.
Jamestown Board of Public Utilities (BPU) â€" Jamestown’s number one asset. As a municipal power generating utility company the BPU offers some of the lowest cost electric power in the United States at $.03 per kwh, while also providing water, sewer, and garbage services. In recent years, the BPU has developed some spin-off services using the by-products of their energy production in the forms of District Heating and the newly created District Cooling systems.
While the above list is not all-inclusive, it represents several of the organizations and initiatives that are currently underway and active in the Jamestown community. Other partners in these collaborative revitalization efforts are the Jamestown Public School System, the Arts Council for Chautauqua County, the Manufacturers Association of the Jamestown Area, the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau, the Fenton History Center, the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce, Jobs Chautauqua, the Weed and Seed “Safe Havens at the Jamestown YMCA, Love School, and the 2 XL Youth Center, several local philanthropic foundations such as the Gebbie Foundation, the Sheldon Foundation, the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, and the Carnahan-Jackson Foundation, as well as many local businesses and innumerable local individuals. The collective efforts of all the aforementioned have resulted in an unprecedented level of development in recent years highlighted by the following ongoing projects:
$5.5 Million Redevelopment of the Chadakoin Building.
$21 Million Jamestown Center City Dual-Pad Ice Arena Project.
Downtown West End Eminent Domain Site Acquisition Activities.
$2.7 Million Best Western Inns & Suites Hotel Project.
Potential Redevelopment of Vacant Former Wintergarden Theater.
National Downtown “Main Street†Program in Association with the DJDC.
PowerNet Global Call Center Expansion Project.
City’s First Street Townscape Program.
Former Rite-Aid Building Marketing and Redevelopment Activities.
Civic Center Block Apartments Project for Artisans.
Proposed $3.5 Million Erie Railroad Station Redevelopment Program.
Expansion of the Fenton History Center.
Western New York Historical Railroad Society I-1 Steam Locomotive Project.
Western New York Historical Railroad Society Excursion Trains Project.
Expansion/Relocation of the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Museum.
$1 million Commons Mall/Willow Bay Commerce Center Redevelopment.
Robert H. Jackson Law Center Project.
City Sponsored Sale and Subsequent Private Redevelopment of:
9 West Third Street (New Jamestown Savings Bank Location)
106-110 East Second Street (New Home of Chautauqua Music)
2-4 East Second Street (Upgraded Fenton Building)
City Chadakoin Riverwalk Construction – Phase I – Summer 2002.
Reconstruction of the Cherry Street Parking Ramp.
Reconstruction of the North Main Street Parking Ramp.
Development of a City Wide Parks System Strategic Plan.
Chadakoin Park Skateboard Park Project.
2 XL Youth Center Project.
YMCA Teen Center Project.
Jamestown, New York – Renewal Community Goals
The federal Renewal Community tax incentives coupled with the New York State tax credits and tax abatements offered by the Greater Jamestown Empire Zone, low-interest rate loans available through the Jamestown Local Development Corporation, Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency, and Greater Jamestown Zone Capital Corporation, as well as grants available through the HUD Community Development Block Grant program make a potent mixture of project-related incentives to promote Jamestown as an attractive City to invest in. Through the combined use of this array of incentives our ambitious goals are to accomplish the following:
Continue and expand the redevelopment of Downtown Jamestown’s Central Business District that is currently seeing over $35 million of private development activity.
Increase the City of Jamestown’s tax base through new commercial and industrial development.
Increase sales tax generation through expanded business developments.
Significantly increase employment opportunities in the City of Jamestown.
Leverage new commercial development into enhanced and increased development in the RC designated areas.
Promote new technologies such as fiber optics and the businesses that develop around them.
Improve residential neighborhoods in RC Census tracts 303 and 305 as well as neighborhoods Citywide.
Reduce crime in Renewal Community neighborhoods and Citywide.
Redevelop the former Chautauqua County landfill, which is located in the Jamestown Renewal Community area using Brownfield clean-up RC incentives.
Improve and update the City’s aging parking ramp and streetscape infrastructures.
All of the individuals, organizations, and governmental units who are dedicating their time and energy toward the betterment of the Jamestown community are looking forward to adding the Renewal Community designation and its associated benefits to the other incentives at our disposal to ensure a brighter future for all residents of the City of Jamestown. Thank you for your consideration and confidence in the City of Jamestown, New York.
Makes u wonder where the money is for the Winter Garden??
Could an historical grant from the State of NY be given to help restore this theatre? I believe, the old train station was given a restored bright future thanks to the State of NY.
I was just looking at the photos posted on this link and see where the poster windows were located and the exterior material which is still there covering up the front facade. I think that covering would have to GO. Anxious to learn of your idea to reopen and restore!
saving winter garden: I just sent you an email and hope that with any luck this theatre can be saved after standing vacant for too many years!
Hi everyone My name is Julie snow, I have great Ideal to reopen the winter garden theater and to restore the look from the inside out. But I need the support from the city of Jamestown and from the wonderful people that live in this town!! Lets come together as a family and get this project up and running!! I as a resident here in town want to save what history we have left!! My email is
my father deane emley managed the winter garden theater in late 40’s…….my mother worked at woolworths at end of street….i can remember the church bells sounding out the hours at top of hill…..my younger brother was born in jamestown hosptial… deane graduated from J.H.S (the red and green) in 1937 i have his yearbook….. i knew the manager of palace theater but name escapes me now….i went to charles street school which is closed …………deane was transfered to olean ny in 1950 to manage the “haven” and “state” theaters which are gone now……i believe winter garden was owned by warner bros and palace by dipsons……..we lived in house on corner of pershing ave which still looks same…. warner bros wanted to transfer him again but he refused, stayed in olean…..regards, richard emley
DakRoland: I, for one, applaud you for your WG effort. Keep all of us on CT updated to this wonderful developing story.
I want to thank Mary for her help. Thanks to information she had, I was able to learn even more about the theater, and the men (and women) who were behind the Winter Garden. Every little clue reveals yet another part of the picture of this wonderful old theater.
Last night I spoke on the phone with a reporter from the Jamestown Post-Journal, Patrick Fanelli. This morning, he had an article updating the status of the efforts for the theater…on the Front Page. I am the Michael Kenney referred to in the article. :) Here is the link…
View link
Stay tuned for a future article that will delve into the history of the theater that I’ve been able to uncover so far.
Mary, I very much enjoyed reading your recent May 16 post and welcome you to this wonderful theatre internet site. I have met Dak and know that he would appreciate hearing from you in the near future. Thank you, in advance, for anything you can provide him in his WG research as the common goal for all of us is to save and restore “our” Winter Garden in Jamestown NY.