Post by dmayuga on Jun 15, 2011 12:24:24 GMT -5
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2011/06/15/mb-metropolitan-theatre-rebirth-winnipeg.html?ref=rss
The rebirth of the long-vacant Metropolitan Theatre has been given a $1.5-million boost.
The City of Winnipeg's executive policy committee voted Wednesday to provide the grant to Canad Inns, owner of the 92-year-old building that has been unused since 1987.
The funding must still be approved by council at a vote later this month.
It opened as the Allen Theatre in 1919, part of a national chain owned by the Allen family of Brantford, Ont. The family had a series of luxury theatres across Canada.
But in 1923, the Allens ran into financial difficulties and Famous Players acquired their business. The Allen was renamed the Metropolitan and continued as a first-run movie theatre until its doors closed in 1987.
The building, given heritage status in 1997, remained boarded up and abandoned until Canad Inns bought it about five years ago with a plan to turn it into an entertainment venue.
There had also been talk about it becoming a Manitoba rock and roll hall of fame.
While Canad Inns has maintained the building and done some interior work, it's time to take the next step, said Coun. Justin Swandel, who chairs the downtown development committee.
The province is likely to announce a similar contribution soon, but there are strings attached to the government funds — the redevelopment must be mostly done by the end of 2013.
And if the city isn't satisfied with Canad Inns' progress it can take back the building.
"We have a plan coming forward that's going to get into construction right away, to be substantially complete within a couple of years. That's what we want. That's what we have. That's why we're doing this," said Swandel.
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Love the 2013 deadline clause!
The rebirth of the long-vacant Metropolitan Theatre has been given a $1.5-million boost.
The City of Winnipeg's executive policy committee voted Wednesday to provide the grant to Canad Inns, owner of the 92-year-old building that has been unused since 1987.
The funding must still be approved by council at a vote later this month.
It opened as the Allen Theatre in 1919, part of a national chain owned by the Allen family of Brantford, Ont. The family had a series of luxury theatres across Canada.
But in 1923, the Allens ran into financial difficulties and Famous Players acquired their business. The Allen was renamed the Metropolitan and continued as a first-run movie theatre until its doors closed in 1987.
The building, given heritage status in 1997, remained boarded up and abandoned until Canad Inns bought it about five years ago with a plan to turn it into an entertainment venue.
There had also been talk about it becoming a Manitoba rock and roll hall of fame.
While Canad Inns has maintained the building and done some interior work, it's time to take the next step, said Coun. Justin Swandel, who chairs the downtown development committee.
The province is likely to announce a similar contribution soon, but there are strings attached to the government funds — the redevelopment must be mostly done by the end of 2013.
And if the city isn't satisfied with Canad Inns' progress it can take back the building.
"We have a plan coming forward that's going to get into construction right away, to be substantially complete within a couple of years. That's what we want. That's what we have. That's why we're doing this," said Swandel.
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Love the 2013 deadline clause!