tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22305958.post5255287655303590727..comments2024-03-25T18:50:15.135-04:00Comments on DCmud - The Urban Real Estate Digest of Washington DC: Historic Preservation Frowns on Takoma Theatre Plans, AgainKenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08295461340042242438noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22305958.post-89234513105163618382009-10-21T13:20:02.317-04:002009-10-21T13:20:02.317-04:00The ANC resolution is a lot of arm waving and empt...The ANC resolution is a lot of arm waving and empty posturing because the HPRB couldn't approve the partial demolition, even if it wanted to. That power rests only with the Mayor (or his agent.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22305958.post-6736380738905049342009-10-21T11:43:19.473-04:002009-10-21T11:43:19.473-04:00The community (ANC 4B and Takoma DC Neighborhood A...The community (ANC 4B and Takoma DC Neighborhood Association) does not believe that there is "no viable economic alternative" to demolition of this contributing structure in the Takoma Historic District. Here is the resolution passed by the ANC:<br />- - - - -<br />This Resolution was adopted at the Special Meeting of the Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B October 15, 2009 with a vote of 4 in favor, 1 opposed, and 1 abstention. <br />. . . . . . . . . . . . .<br /><br />Takoma Theatre: <br />Resolution to Oppose the Demolition of Most of the Theater <br /><br />WHEREAS, the owner of the Takoma Theatre, Mr. Milton McGinty, proposes to demolish most of the historic Takoma Theatre; <br /><br />WHEREAS, the Theatre is a key resource in the Takoma Park Historic District and is, therefore protected by historic preservation law which prohibits demolition of historic buildings; <br /><br />WHEREAS, the history of the building for this purposely integrated community of Takoma, Brightwood, Manor Park and Shepherd Park is of particular interest in that it was one of the first theaters in DC to integrate; <br /><br />WHEREAS, the Takoma Theatre is considered the southern anchor for the Old Takoma business corridor which we are working hard to revitalize -- with the Takoma Underpass Mural, the Façade Improvement Program, and DDOT's Takoma Transportation Improvements program; <br /><br />WHEREAS, in Ward 4 there is no other theater of any kind, and in all of North Washington there is no other cultural arts and education center other than university centers, such as the Hartke Theatre in Catholic University in Ward 5;<br /><br />WHEREAS, there is strong and active support among people in the community to keep the Theatre, with the prospect of at last having an active cultural arts and education center to serve all residents in our ANC 4B Commission, as well as the wider North Washington and nearby Maryland community and to celebrate, present and represent the rich diversity here in our part of Washington DC;<br /><br />We hereby recommend that the Historic Preservation Review Board does not approve the proposal to demolish most of the Takoma Theatre.Stephen Smith, Takoma DCnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22305958.post-7176748568367475812009-10-21T11:02:20.774-04:002009-10-21T11:02:20.774-04:00The DC Preservation League requested that the arch...The DC Preservation League requested that the architect present his plans to our Project Review Committee so we could comment. The owner declined.<br /><br />Also, the Takoma Theatre Conservancy has offered to purchase the site from Mr. McGinty without success.Rebecca Millerhttp://www.dcpreservation.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22305958.post-50277384900129530722009-10-19T19:16:09.940-04:002009-10-19T19:16:09.940-04:00I don't live in Takoma park, but I do wonder w...I don't live in Takoma park, but I do wonder what the board expect to happen with a theater that no one wants. <br /><br />What is the purpose of saving something that has no viable economic alternative? We cannot have these museums of public space. It is time to move one and find an alternative.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com