Description
Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy Street, was constructed in 1911 for vaudeville and live theater, and later became a neighborhood movie house. It served during World War I as a warehouse for the Michigan Aircraft Company, and in the 1960s, offered the only regional venue for foreign films. It closed in the late 1970s and stood empty, decaying for more than 25 years before the South East Economic Development neighborhood association launched a capital campaign to fund its restoration. The Theatre re-opened in 1998 as a community arts center and heralded a transformation of the entire Wealthy Street business district.
"Restoring the theatre was the pivotal turning point for this neighborhood," said Carol Moore, a resident, landlord, and community activist in the Wealthy Theatre District. "We talked about it for years. And some people thought we were crazy. But once it opened, once people started coming back, the doubters became believers."
In mid-2004, the Theatre closed again while the Board of Directors searched for a nonprofit organization willing to commit to the continued growth and revitalization of the theatre and its neighborhood. The Community Media Center was identified and after some study, the CMC board of directors voted to pursue acquisition of the Wealthy Theatre and the additional building at 1110 Wealthy. A Capital Campaign was launched and the buildings were acquired in March of 2005
Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy Street, was constructed in 1911 for vaudeville and live theater, and later became a neighborhood movie house. It served during World War I as a warehouse for the Michigan Aircraft Company, and in the 1960s, offered the only regional venue for foreign films. It closed in the late 1970s and stood empty, decaying for more than 25 years before the South East Economic Deve... More
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