Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 16, 1995 TAG: 9502160067
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MAG POFF STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Matthew Kennell, executive director of Downtown Roanoke Inc., said Wednesday that the organization of central business district retailers and property owners is working closely with one prospective theater operator, whom he declined to identify. But he said the organization and the operator are looking at "a couple of buildings" as possible sites for the cinema.
He also declined to identify the properties at this time, but he said the building at 14 E. Campbell Ave., which formerly was occupied by Mish Mish Inc., would "lend itself" to conversion into a theater. The Blacksburg-based art supplies retailer closed its Roanoke operation last month.
The building is across Campbell Avenue from Center in the Square, where the Mill Mountain Theatre presents stage plays. Kennell said the motion picture theater would complement, not compete with, live theater productions.
He said the prospective theater operator and the property owners are negotiating toward a lease for one of the properties.
He expects the theater to be established downtown "if the numbers work out for all the parties. I think it will happen." He said he believes an announcement will be made soon.
Downtown Roanoke once played host to a plethora of movie houses. But it has not had a theater since the Jefferson closed in 1977. That building, which was just south of Heironimus on Jefferson Street, was razed in 1978; the property became a parking lot.
The Rialto was the first downtown movie house to shut down, in 1955. That was followed by closings of the Park in 1956 and the Roanoke in 1961.
The 2,000-seat American Theater, largest and grandest of the downtown theaters, was closed Sept. 30, 1971. It was razed in January 1973 to make way for what is now the First Union Bank Building.
by CNB