Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: For sale: Byrd Theatre, Richmond VA

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Topic: For sale: Byrd Theatre, Richmond VA

William Hooper
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1879
From: Mobile, AL USA
Registered: Jun 99

posted 08-12-2003 01:13 AM

I unfortunately deal with even more within four states.

I have discovered that there is an interesting common thread to these historic theaters with apparently lobotomized management.

Four historic theaters in nearby states. They start out knowing nothing, admitting it, doing sort of break-even, then go to an LHAT conference & come back & just pull the plug out of the bottom. Boom, straight to the bottom, management just turn into weird people that don't make sense, they're at huge operating deficits, they cut successful programming, nobody comes to their programming anymore, they cry to whatever bodies that have some ownership/operating/pockets that they must "support" the theater which has become just a big box with a light bill & managers. What is going on at LHAT? Not all the LHAT affiliated theaters are just loony money holes like this, but just the ones that come up with no previous operational experience are getting some *severe* strange information given them on what to do with a theater. The theater is just a paycheck to the management & arts council groups. Management & the operating groups *really do* think that they're operating the theater as it should.

There's one a state away that blithely reports they are in very dangerous financial straits & may have to close the theater soon. They haven't had a show in about a year.

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Bill Enos
Film God

Posts: 2081
From: Richmond, Virginia, USA
Registered: Apr 2000

posted 08-12-2003 09:39 PM

In order that the official foundation direction is maintained, all board members etc. are required to sign a statement agreeing to the objective of the theatre continuing to be open 365 days a year presenting motion pictures with an occasional rental for other purposes. The certificate of occupancy does not allow for stage shows at all, an exemption must be obtained for anything more than a few people, and no lights or lighting equipment are allowed backstage. A potential lessee about 22 years ago looked into bringing everything to 1981 code and got an estimate of about $12 million. Probably the biggest wrench in the works is lack of mid-auditorium emergency exits. The sidewalls are against other buildings, an exemption which is still grandfathered was granted in 1928 because the front exits are both 4 doors wide, this does not cut it today, because the exits go past the backstage which is open between both passages.

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