City Buys Old Studio Theatre - Plans To Demolish

Almost every town at least tries to save their old theater's. If nothing else gut'em and save the facade for the historical value. But apparently there are major plans for that lot ?

Ahh yes, the Studio. Last time I was in there was 1968. Was one of the stops on Prom weekend along with LeSourdsville Lake back then. The whole event was called "Prom Jubilee" I believe. (For all you older Middie graduates) Sad. Slowly but surely, they are knocking down all the happy old memories from the 60's for me and leaving empty lots in their places. Progress marches on!

Mike/swohio75- I remember the Studio being the Strand and the current Sorg Opera House being the Colonial. Don't forget the Paramount Theatre on Broad around the area where the stage for the Broad St Bash is now. By the way, while we're strolling down memory lane, do you remember a restaurant called Godwin's on Broad across the street from the Paramount? How about you Spiderjohn?

Railfan- if you are suggesting that the money being used is not for building demolition ie- being used illegally, is there a contact to report this?

Good point by Irisner and Vivian- wonder how many quotes they did get for this work and did they keep it "in the family" when they bid the job out? Since Marconi is in the construction business, would he have ties that would link him to some of this demolition work and, if so, wouldn't that raise some questions about his involvement as to the choices for these services? Just asking. (Kinda like the questions that floated around when Perry Thatcher was on Council and what his involvement was in the wheeling and dealing of properties around town.) And where to put the material from the demolition, asbestos and all-- hmm- how about using it to fill in the now defunct Lake Middletown? Never know- filling in that muddy hole may help knock down that mosquito population so that we can enjoy Ms. Mort's Bicentenial Commons stage area, read the bricks and "frolick like giddy school kids" around the archway.   

Isiner
That is an interesting thought.

At a couple of Planning Department meetings that I attended, Marty K. noted that the Old Studio Theatre was one downtown building that was under consideration for acquisition and demolition.  Reportedly, this property did not sell on the open market because of significant rehabilitation and asbestos abatement costs that dampened prospective buyers interest.

Is that $100,000 part of the same fund that needs to be spent (CDBG) within the 5 year limit ? If it is then we know why it wasn't spent before now.

It will definitely take away from the historical feel for sure. Hate to see it go.

Need to buy up some more of those properties like that and let the old wrecking ball loose on them.