Plans unveiled for new Near West Theatre complex
by Chuck Hoven

(Plain Press, April 2008) At a March 13th meeting in the atrium of the Gordon Square Arcade, Near West Theatre supporters and Detroit Shoreway residents had the opportunity to take the first public look at plans for the proposed new home for Near West Theatre at W. 67th and Detroit Avenue.

An architect from the firm of Richard Fleishman Partners Architects showed plans for the new theatre educational complex which will be located on W. 67th just behind the old Lou’s Furniture building. The new theatre’s plans call for a large lobby, spacious seating, an elevator, air conditioning, heating and will be designed with acoustics appropriate for a theater setting. The concrete block building will be vibrantly painted, have metal paneling and exterior lighting.

Plans call for creating a green space on the corner of W. 67th and Detroit that will serve as an entryway to the theatre from Detroit Avenue. The building that now houses SP Leather will be demolished to make way for the green-space. Plans call for Cleveland Public Art to help design the green space on the corner.

Funds to pay for the new theatre building are being raised by the Gordon Square Arts District, an economic development partnership formed by Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization, Near West Theatre and Cleveland Public Theatre to raise millions of dollars in capital for major arts projects in the area. Stephanie Morrison Hrbek of Near West Theatre stressed to those attending the importance of the Gordon Square Arts District in raising capital that Near West Theatre could not have raised on its own.

Hrbek said operating the new theatre would mean a major increase in operating costs for Near West Theatre. She said that a review of similar sized theatres revealed an operating cost of $150,000 a year. Currently the rent paid for the use of the theatre space at St. Pat’s and the office space in the Gordon Square Arcade runs about $13,000 per year.

Detroit Shoreway Executive Director Jeff Ramsey said rents from the first floor commercial space in the former Lou’s Furniture building would be dedicated to Near West Theatre to help defray their operating costs. He estimated that the commercial space would raise between $40,000 to $50,000 per year. He said that green-building techniques used in the theatre will help to reduce the energy costs, thus further lowering the operating costs for the theatre. Hrbek said having its own space would allow the theatre to run plays for a longer time and to have the facility for year round shows, thus increasing revenue.

The new theatre will have about 250 seats. The space at St. Patrick’s Church Hall currently allows for 200-230 seats, says Hrbek.

While there will be a small parking lot behind the theatre building, additional parking will be available in the Gordon Square Arcade parking lot across the street. Negotiations are also underway to allow use of Pioneer Saving parking lot across Detroit Avenue from the Theatre.

Councilman Matt Zone says an effort is underway to create a Business Improvement District along Detroit Avenue in the area around the theatres where businesses will pay a voluntary assessment in order to provide additional amenities for the district such as additional security and lighting. Zone said he believes that the addition of more businesses to the commercial strip have added more eyes on the street at night adding to the increased safety of the neighborhood.

Plans call for construction to begin on the new Near West Theatre complex in 2010 and for a completion date sometime in 2011. Hrbek noted that Near West Theatre began planning for a new home in 1999, and the design process began in 2005. She promised additional public meetings as the opening of the new facility approaches.

Another major undertaking of the Gordon Square Arts District, the restoration of the Capital Theatre on W. 65th is expected to begin in May of this year and is slated for completion by June of 2009. Plans call for a three-screen movie theatre that will feature art and independent films.

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