FeedsAppeals process grants theater group two more months
The volunteers at the Historic Wayne Theater have time for one more final push for community support in their attempt to save the downtown landmark.
The preservationists met with the dangerous building hearing officer on Wednesday, but Mike O’Brien has yet to rule on it, according to Peter McInerney, community development director for the City of Wayne. Even when he does, it will likely not spell the final decision on the historic structure.
“It would have to go to the appeals board,” McInerney said. “The earliest that could happen is in December.”
Located on Michigan Avenue, the Historic Wayne Theater was cited under the dangerous and blighted building ordinance last year. The ordinance is designed to get property owners to either spruce up and rent out long-abandoned properties or tear them down. The city granted the theater volunteers a year to develop a plan and generate the funding to bring the building up to code.
That year ran out last month and Don Nicholson, capital fundraising chairman for the theater, said they hadn’t brought in enough money or generated enough community support, despite a long series of fundraisers.
He said the theater board voted last week to turn over the property to the city—one of the conditions the board volunteered when they sought their one-year extension—but this latest appeal has given them new hope.
“We still have the building for two more months,” he said. “We’re to go on one final binge and try to collect the money and get some support behind us.”
He estimated that it would cost about $50,000 to bring the building to a ‘white box’ state, which means all the exterior code violations be fixed and the building be readied for a sale.
Nicholson said the group would push for some new grants and come up with some other fundraisers, including a spaghetti dinner that could coincide with the annual Wayne Rotary Parade, which takes place on Nov. 17. He said he hasn’t finalized that, yet, though.
“It would be an ideal date,” he said. “Everyone is already in town for the parade.
“We haven’t quit,” he added, “but this is up to the community.”
McInerney said the city has had some success stories with dangerous building cases between the rulings of the dangerous building officer and the appeals board. The former Beehive restaurant was scheduled to be torn down, but a new investor came on board prior to the issue coming to the appeals board to save the structure.
“If an investor materializes, that could happen again,” he said. “It’s going to make a difference to the appeals board if there is some new developments or circumstances.”
To donate to the theater, visit the web site at www.historicwaynetheatre.com or send them to 35164 Michigan Avenue, Wayne, MI, 48184.
