Kings Theatre

Theaterfan….This probably happened several years ago, before the NYC EDC took charge of the Kings

Bruce 1 abd Gustavelifting…I wrote to the president of the Loews Jersey about 4 weeks ago to explain the situation. I even included a SASE< but I have yet to get a response. I will keep you posted on all that transpires in the event that I do get a reply.

Bruce 1;
What about the Loews Jersey? Do you think that would be a good idea? They are another “wonder theater” and restored to operation.

Theaterat/ Theaterfan
I did research and some Rapp and Rapp Theaters are on the National Register for their architecture. That chances for the Kings getting landmark status are two to one.

Theaterfan, Gustavelifting, Bruce 1….Been doing some research on the Landmark process. The LPC law requires that “A potential landmark must be at least 30 years old and must posess a special character or special historical, aesthetic interest or value as part of the development, heritage. or cultural characteristic of the city, state or nation”. Intend to go to the Brooklyn branch within a week.

I would like to help save the Loew’s Kings as well, you can contact me on my member info page. I’ve actually met Bruce in person at the Brooklyn Historical Society Fair a few years back, he is a really great guy committed to saving the Loew’s Kings.

Bruce, Gustavelifting….I have been told that a local Flatbush civic and business group may be interested. There is also another Brooklyn based group that may be of help.I was also told to have a statement of “intent"that is a statement on just exactly what purposes the theater will be used for.We also heed a name with a letterhead to show that we are serious and for credibility purposes.We also need a name for our group, if it ever gets off the ground.I was told that before it goes any further, a core group needs to be formed, and a meeting schedule needs to be worked out. Also, it will not hurt to inform local historic societies such as the Broojklyn Historic Society of our efforts.In the near future, corporation papers can be filed.Please inform me by E mail if a meeting schedule can be arranged. You are right, its time to get off the "talking” stage and start the “action” stage. I live in Brooklyn, and you have all my support.

Thanks Gustav! Hopefully, others will want to join us for that meeting.

In the meantime, I have talked to the Borough President’s people and they think a ‘press conference’ in front of the Loew’s Kings is an idea of merit. Let’s hope there is a speedy follow up.

Again, thank you for all the advice. But I still believe that if there are people who actually want to help, then they should be willing to have a meeting. Without a meeting, there can be no personal involvment! I disagree with Jim that first there must be the establishment of a Non-Profit Org. If there is no interest, if nobody even wants to meet face to face, what is the value of an organization? If nobody wants to have a meeting, how can we divide into those committees, come up with a plan, etc.

I don’t think that raising the money is the answer. I have written extensively about all those big billionaires that have the money. Now when the RFP is issued, we’ll find out if they have any interest in either saving the Kings or replacing it.

As far as writing letters, I don’t think that we have to be incorporated to write letters.

When it comes to carrying a picket sign in front of the theater, I do agree with Jim. I don’t intend to be the only one standing there! As far as getting media attention, (from other than my own show) I can tell you that it’s not an easy thing to accomplish. However, I will ask the Borough President if he would be willing to throw a press conference in front of the Loew’s Kings? Maybe he would like to offer a proclomation ‘thanking’ the Kings for it’s long history and it’s potential in entertaining the people of Brooklyn.

At this point, I would again like to thank those ‘out of town’ contributors for their suggestions. I have another thought, if you live in Chicago, maybe you could contact the owners of the ‘Chicago’ theater, tell them about the Loew’s Kings and ask if they might want to answer the NYC RFP? Or perhaps the owners of the St. Louis FOX or the Detroit FOX or the Atlanta FOX or any other saved house!

Let me just repeat, if you want to make a phone call or write a letter to a major real estate developer or theatre operator, you don’t have to have a non-profit certificate. If you contact the person who is responsible for real estate acquisition, who knows maybe they would have interest?

Again, Jim talks about having giant blow up photographs of the Kings for a media event. That is something that could be done or some of my own footage can be shared with the media. Maybe I will make the ‘press conference’ suggestion to the Borough President?

Lastly, if that RFP will decide the fate then it’s probably too late to incorporate as a non-profit. At this point, it’s more important to find the developer who believes the theatre should be saved!

Much as I would like to help with such as letters of support, my filling out legal documents for the state of New York is even more unlikely than doing it for my resident state of Wisconsin, since the statute requirements for every state are different and I am not in the legal profession in any way. LifesTooShort is right that there must be a legal entity to refer to in any letters Bruce1 might like to see others write, else whom do we refer people to in our letters of encouragement for preservation? Merely stating that we think the KINGS is valuable and should be preserved is not enough; people want to know what they should do and what we are asking for. Money? If so, to whom do they send it and what will it be used for? Their time? Where and how are they to spend that time? Bruce1’s efforts “since 1987” to raise the public conscience in the matter are admirable, but it takes more than public sympathy and petitions delivered to the city to cause something of this scale to happen.

I do not have the resources to travel to New York city and carry a picket sign in front of the KINGS with a ‘Save This Theatre’ message, and I don’t think it would do that much good if I did do such. I can well understand if Bruce1 is not comfortable taking on the task of being the head of a legal corporation —even if it is only a handful of people— since life is short and no doubt, full for him too. Perhaps he is at the point in his life where he frankly feels that others should pick up the ‘torch’ if it is to ever illuminate this issue throughout New York. Of course, with the city’s RFP about to come out, maybe we all should wait to see its results at least for a few months after its issuance or date of withdrawl, if any. But, then again, if it receives no desireable respose, it could be taken by the ‘movers and shakers’ that there is no real public sympathy for this theatre, closed lo, these many years now.

Perhaps a group of New Yorkers standing in front of the doors waving the RFP in their hands before TV cameras invited from all stations, would get public attention, especially if giant photos of it in original state could back the ‘demonstrators’, or hand-outs of 8x10s of it as it appeared at opening could be given to reporters (they are always looking for visuals). I know that your station would like to keep such an event an exclusive, Bruce, but if you really want full public backing, you will have to involve as many people as possible, including those who do not view your cable station. If you can get a crowd in front of the theatre as your ‘demonstration’ is speaking before the camera, that will make the ‘people’ scene that the TV stations look for. Of course, if no one in the area is willing to appear there with you, I think you had best put your good talents to other causes. Nothing is more pathetic than the image of a lone individual standing in front of a building being demolished and saying to reporters “I wish I could have saved it.” Best Wishes!

Bruce,

I would love to throw my efforts behind your cause. But, I am currently President of my high school alumni association, Captain of our league basketball team, and bass player for a local rock group…all of this on top of a demanding job. Offering you my help would be an empty gesture, as I would probably never follow through on anything in a timely manner.

That being said, you mentioned writing a letter. I can certainly accomplish that at some point in the coming month. Who would I send it to?

You made reference to people at a distance. I think anybody who is willing to help can help. I am in Chicago. But, if I had the time to contribute, you would be well aware of my efforts. Being halfway across the country is no excuse for not lending a hand!

Last, I think it is critical to incorporate. How can you gather funds if you are not official? What are you going to tell people? “Yes…the money is being held in a savings account with my name on it.” I don’t think that incorporating is a terribly painful process. Jim seems familiar. Perhaps he would volunteer to fill out the initial paperwork.

Life’s too short to spend talking about things without intelligent action! Let’s get moving!

Best regards,

Eric Ellis

Dear Jim,
Consistently, you come up with worthwhile ideas and a game plan, however I still see everyone else giving advice and not following through with any of THEIR OWN IDEAS. If anyone should come up with the proper way to ‘get a certificate of incorporation,’ let’s see them do it!

Let’s call this an exercise in futility! Let’s recognize that I do not want to do everything myself, what I did want was people to band together, divide responsibilites and actually try to accomplish this, so what do I get? I get the well meaning, but the do nothing crowd.

It seems that every time I bitch and moan, the flow of constructive suggestions begins anew…BUT, not once, have I see anyone who actually made the slightest effort to accomplish anything. All they do is suggest what could be done. (as long as they don’t have to lift a finger!)

So, if the Loew’s Kings can be saved, it will be by some well-meaning billionaire who sees potential of the third largest performance space in the City of New York. It will not be the result of this forum.

Not once has anybody written that they have ‘begun the process of landmarking, begun the process of incorporation as a Non-Profit, written or called anyone for anything.

Best Regards,
Bruce1