What Business Could Revitalize the Falls Theatre Building? Patch Readers Discuss

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Visions for Vacancies: The Old Falls Theatre Building

The former film house has sat empty for years on Front Street. Some want a wrecking ball swung into the space, others want it preserved. What do you think?

Right now, pedestrians passing by the Falls Theatre building see it full of buckets, desks and — is that a shopping cart?  The 15,000-square foot theater was built in 1926. The spaces on either side of it are used as storage. Cuyahoga Falls Patch had asked readers in June 2012 whether they'd like to see the theater demolished or preserved. Here's what some readers had to say then:  Then, Falls Planning and Zoning Director Fred Guerra, most want the 86-year-old structure torn down. But there are those who beg to differ. Some want to see it rebuilt, said Guerra, but it would be costly given the poor condition of the Front Street building. The theatre is considered a mixed-use space, so anything from offices to restaurants to retail could go …

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Jimm Motyka

2:46 pm on Thursday, April 4, 2013

If I recall correctly, this property was acquired by the city through eminent domain. So, our money was already spent on it.   more ›

Visions for Vacancies: The Old Falls Theatre

The former film house has sat empty for years on Front Street. Some want a wrecking ball swung into the space, others want it preserved. What do you think?

If you could decide, would you demolish the shuttered Falls Theatre or preserve it? According to Falls Planning and Zoning Director Fred Guerra, most want the 86-year-old structure torn down. But there are those who beg to differ. Some want to see it rebuilt, said Guerra, but it would be costly given the poor condition of the Front Street building. The 15,000-square foot theatre is considered a mixed-use space, so anything from offices to restaurants to retail could go there. Interestingly enough, the theatre is listed as a potentially historic structure in the city’s Historic Preservation Plan, so who knows; it may stick around for a while. What kind of business could revitalize the defunct theatre? A trendy restaurant? An up-and-coming …

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