"At dusk Saturday, a band of light appeared on the front of the old brick building at Fourth and Butternut streets NW, [DC] beneath the clatter of Metro trains. Soon after, small groups of people began to drift through the building’s glass doors, and cars swing in and out of an adjacent parking lot . . . The light belonged to the marquee of the old Takoma Theatre . . .” [1]
It was 1978. A community non-profit group had begun to light-up the historic movie screen once again but the owner, K-B Theatres, was unsupportive, and the corner, once a focal point for the community, was dark again. Since then other community groups and the current owner have sought unsuccessfully to sustain the theater through short seasons of live performances. Today, the Takoma is once again dark, and, most significantly, since 2005, it has been threatened by demolition by the current owner. (more . . .).
Saving and revitalizing a community resource
The battle to save the historic Takoma Theatre, at least from substantial demolition, is now over. In May, the DC Mayor’s Agent for Historic Preservation issued a legal ruling denying the owner’s application to raze the theater, a contributing resource in the Takoma Historic District, to construct a 43-unit apartment building. [2]
The Mayor’s agent concluded that the Applicant did not satisfy the burden of proof that demolition is in the public interest because of “special merit”, or that failure to issue the permit to raze would result in unreasonable economic hardship. The appeal to the Mayor’s Agent followed a decision in October, 2009 by the DC Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) rejecting the owner’s application to demolish nearly all of the theater building.
(more . . .)
For supporters seeking to save the theater, the Mayor’s Agent decision lifts a major cloud of uncertainty from its future. However, increased efforts are needed to revitalize the theater and light up the marquee once again. Unlike prior efforts, the Takoma Theatre Conservancy is seeking to acquire the theatre from the owner.
[Note: The Conservancy is not associated with its current operation, renting or leasing.]
The Conservancy seeks to revitalize the theater as a community
resource – a cultural arts and education center – a place once again for community events and activities, and a resource to help rejuvenate the adjacent commercial area. We will seek to renovate the theater and host a wide array of theatrical, film and musical programs; to support a variety of theater and arts groups and local performers; to provide classes for people of all ages, especially youth who lack access to arts in their schools; and to offer vocational training and internships for high school students and young adults. (see Goals)
Over the past three years, the Conservancy has raised public and private funds and initiated the architectural, engineering and financial studies to achieve these goals. The Conservancy is beginning to advance its program goals by supporting local performers and major Arts Integration activities in local DCPS schools. (more . . .)
We seek to create a wealth of arts and education programs that will be an economic and cultural benefit to the neighborhood. Please join us in these efforts through your contribution and/or membership in the Conservancy. (The Takoma Theatre Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your contributions are tax deductible.)
[1] Group Fights to Save Takoma Park Theater by Jackson Diehl, Washington Post, Jan 1, 1979
[2] Mayor's Agent Decision and Order, HPA09-380, May 21, 2010