![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
quote: Aaron GarmanBeing on the National Register of Historic Buildings just means that federal money in the form of grants, etc. cannot be used to raze the building or do construction which alters it from its historic appearance. It generally applies to just the facade. Buildings on the NRHB are often razed by private developers, or massively changed on the inside by owners/operators.
I'm so glad it is on the historical register, as I believe that means it cannot be destroyed.
quote: Aaron GarmanWould it really cost a fortune to build a facade that was similar in theme to something like this?
I wonder why theatre chains don't build places like this anymore. I mean, I understand the multiplex idea, but say design a multiplex in this fashion. Sure, it'd be a fortune, but it's so beautiful looking. I mean I'd love to go to the movies more if I got to walk into a building that looked so darn amazing.
quote:And again here.
It started as a movie palace, and most recently housed a bar and nightclub.
This time, the rebirth of the State Theatre in downtown South Bend will feature somewhat of a born-again bent, as Lester Sumrall takes over.
The name Lester Sumrall is well known in the community: the man who built a worldwide television ministry, based in South Bend.
Now, a grandson with the same name, and perhaps the same pioneering spirit, is starting a unique project of his own at the State.
Spiritually inclined
The last time the State Theatre building was open for business, they served spirits there.
However, that won't happen under the direction of a man whose name is so closely tied to spirituality.
Plans call for turning the State into a cultural events center with a spiritual focus...
Plans call for turning the State into a cultural events center with a spiritual focus...
“No, this isn't going to be a church. Way of Life is a spiritual or religious organization, but we're really interested in communicating God’s love through the arts,” says Lester Sumrall, grandson of the original Sumrall and Way of Life president.
Plans call for turning the State into a cultural events center with a spiritual focus; a place where concerts, conferences and films will help inspire members of another generation to find their purpose.
...a place where concerts, conferences and films will help inspire members of another generation to find their purpose...
...a place where concerts, conferences and films will help inspire members of another generation to find their purpose...
“Our community has gone through a lot with shootings and violence,” says Sumrall. “A lot of that has to do with teenagers and young adults not having anyplace to go that has a positive influence, not a place where they're going to drink, get stirred up for violence. [We] just want this place to be a positive hub of influence.”
And while the work is underway, it's still very much a work in progress. The opening date depends on the success of fundraising efforts.
...while the work is underway, it's still very much a work in progress
...while the work is underway, it's still very much a work in progress at this point
"We need about $500,000 dollars to renovate this place, but (we have) got different corporate sponsors, people coming in want to help in the community," says Sumrall. “...We're going to need a lot of help doing it, but I know that God’s been faithful to provide from before.”
And, not only is Sumrall confident of getting the job done, he's confident his grandfather would approve of the work he is doing. "I think he'd be happy. I think he was somebody who was a person of vision, somebody who was a pioneer. That's kind of what we're doing here."
Renovations still needed
The group is still trying to raise the $500,000 needed to complete renovations.
However, they do hope the State will reopen in November.
quote:It sounds like an interesting project. I'm going to see if I can volunteer some time, especially if projecting film is involved in some capacity.
August 04. 2006 6:59AM
State theatre's new mission: the salvation of young souls
Sumrall renovates building for new life
CHRISTINA HILDRETH
Tribune Staff Writer
SOUTH BEND -- In her 86 years, the State Theatre has opened and closed six times, endured four renovations and operated under at least a half-dozen different owners.
She has hosted movies, vaudeville acts, concerts, and a Super Bowl party. The old marquee weathered the Great Depression, movie-goers' flight to suburbia and the 2005 demolition of her Mishawaka sister, the Tivoli.
At times, the State stirred talk of impropriety: she closed for a day in 1929 after the mayor of South Bend declared her burlesque shows to be too "vulgar and disgusting" for public consumption. The theater's showing of "The Exorcist" in 1974 prompted an outcry from Catholics. Reports of bar fights plagued the theater's nightclub shortly after the turn of the millennium.
But old age and a new owner are changing the theater's morals. She is being converted, shedding her liquor license, secular concerts and saucy attitude.
No longer will the theater's entertainment be solely for pleasure and profit. Now the building carries a mission: the salvation of young souls.
"It's time for South Bend to have a place that is a positive influence for teenagers," said Lester L. Sumrall, the new owner of 214 1/2 S. Michigan St.
Sumrall, the namesake and eldest grandson of the man who founded LeSEA Broadcasting in 1957, leads a South Bend-based nonprofit organization called Way of Life.
On July 21, the nine-year-old Christian group bought the State Theatre for $333,000 from East Lansing, Mich.-based First National Bank of America, which acquired the property through foreclosure last August.
By late fall, Sumrall plans to open the theater as a "cultural events center with a spiritual focus."
What does that mean?
"We'll have concerts, conferences, worship gatherings, art exhibits, comedians," he said.
Sumrall expects to host events most nights of the week, targeting an audience of 12- to 30-year-olds. At least one event every week will be for the Latino community, he said.
He has talked to three different coffee companies, including Starbucks, about opening a cafe in the two vacant storefronts adjacent to the theater.
He plans to reinstall much of the building's seating, which was removed when it became a nightclub. A company in New York has donated $276,000 worth of theater chairs. The city has only cleared Sumrall to seat 1,600 right now, but eventually he wants to boost that number to almost 2,000.There is still much work to be done. For the past week, Sumrall, three employees and a team of volunteers have been tearing out the bars and beer-stained carpets.
Previous owners had left the hallways, dance floor and balconies cluttered with every form of trash in their hasty departure. Sumrall and his workers have found dead fern plants, old business documents, dozens of empty cash drawers, broken beer bottles, old rolls of film and antique projectors.
Only last week did they find the switch to light the historic marquee, hidden in a cobwebbed closet of a fire escape near the third-floor catwalk.
"The place didn't come with a manual," Sumrall said as he sorted through reels of old filmstrip in the theater's projector room. "We're still investigating."
But will it work?
Success at the State has not been easy in the past. For 19 of the past 30 years, the theater doors have been locked as various mixes of owners struggled to find a profitable use for the venue. Some neighboring business owners are skeptical of Sumrall's project, worrying that a downtown mixture of teenagers, college bars and young adults might cause problems with underage drinking or sexual predators.
Ken Peczkowski, owner of Griffon Bookstore at 121 W. Colfax Ave., said he is concerned that mixing teens of different economic and social backgrounds in a downtown venue could cause fights and vandalism.
Others think Sumrall's project is exactly what downtown needs.
"Listen, anytime you can get young people coming downtown, it's going to be good," said David Hab, general manager at Dainty Maid Bake Shop, 231 S. Michigan St. "Perhaps they'll buy doughnuts and pastries from us. Maybe we'll even stay open on Sundays."
Sumrall said he understands concerns like Peczkowski's, but doesn't think those problems will materialize. There will probably be a security staff for large events, he said, and the theater will not have a "club" atmosphere.
"I don't feel it will be any more dangerous than any other place where a lot of people are," he said. Plus, he added, events targeting younger teens will be smaller in size and well supervised.
City officials are optimistic about Sumrall's plans for the State.
"It's better than vacant land sitting in disrepair," said Jennifer Laurent, a city economic development planner. "We're glad to see somebody come in and pick it up and do the right thing with it."
At first, city officials were worried that Sumrall might convert the building into a church, giving his organization legal rights to restrict the distribution of liquor licenses to businesses within 200 feet of the State.
But the ordained minister says not to worry.
"We're not going to take down the State sign and put up a steeple," Sumrall said.
At a Redevelopment Commission meeting on July 19, Sumrall and his attorney, Jim Masters, testified that the building would not be a church and therefore would have no legal rights to restrict neighbors' liquor sales.
As far as finances, Sumrall has a long way to go on fundraising. Two donors gave a combined $66,000, but Sumrall estimates Way of Life will need at least $500,000 to complete much-needed renovations.
He has lots of ideas for fund-raisers, including a sale of old theater memorabilia he plans to hold on Sept. 7. He also wants to publish a book with old photos and stories of various South Bend residents' memories of the State, the sales of which will go toward the renovation fund.
But he faces other challenges, too.
Previous owners have blamed business difficulties on the scarcity of downtown parking and the growth of suburban commercial areas such as Grape Road. Other venues, including the Morris Performing Arts Center, also have a strong hold on live downtown performances. Then there's the rumor that the State is haunted by the lavender dress-clad spirit of a 1920s flapper.
Even so, Sumrall is unshaken.
"The blessing of God supersedes all that," he said. "I have no doubt that we'll succeed at what we're doing."
As for the ghost: "I think we evicted her last week," he said with a smile.
The purchase is a huge step for his ministry, Way of Life. Up until now, he said, the group was little more than "a box of legal papers and me."
If he has one thing going for him, it's his connections. He has lots of relatives at LeSEA and it's spinoff, Provident Ministries.
He has friends at various Christian music companies, and is confident he'll be able to book popular speakers or well-known religious bands such as Delirious.
Sumrall can't wait to finish renovations on the theater. He shows it off like a new car, but speaks of it as Jesus would a leper. When asked what about the project excited him the most, the 33-year-old spoke not of lights or loud music, but vision.
"It's taking something old and expressing a new purpose through it," he said. "Seeing something that was dead or cast aside by people and seeing it could be used for something positive and new."
Staff writer Christina Hildreth:
childreth@sbtinfo.com
(574) 235-6271
quote:What does he think the mission of Notre Dame's mammoth DeBartolo Performing Arts Center is, if not exactly that? I am afraid he's got really stiff competition if not for patron dollars, but also for a distinct and separate mission goal. He wants to battle a Goliath at their game.
but we're really interested in communicating God’s love through the arts,” says Lester Sumrall, grandson of the original Sumrall and Way of Life president.
Plans call for turning the State into a cultural events center with a spiritual focus; a place where concerts, conferences and films will help inspire members of another generation to find their purpose.
quote: William HooperThe multifunction thing is really the key to survival for any of the old palaces that do make a go of it, and usually it works very well; but you've got to be the first kid on the block and it really helps if you are the only kid.
Typically houses of that size become multi-use, showing films, premieres, concerts, etc. A lot about survivability in cities & neighborhoods where there is already another PAC/historic theatre/etc. is focused on positioning the the theatre either via image by way of what kind of shows it runs or by rental cost: Make it the home base of the local symphony, or if another theatre is already the symphony's home, the theatre where rock concerts go; if another theatre with better stage facilities is already the focus for bus & truck stage shows, the theatre will likely have to look for another niche, etc
![[puke]](graemlins/puke.gif)
the week I was there). It has been 1026 days since the last post.
It has been 614 days since the last post.
quote:The reason I heard about this today was that I was downtown picking up Thai Food (which is on the exact spot where the Dillinger robbed bank was), and the marquee was on. Despite having many bulbs out, it was great to see her lit up again.
HEIDI PRESCOTT
South Bend Tribune
12:22 p.m. EST, January 13, 2012
SOUTH BEND — The State Theatre in downtown South Bend has been sold to a local investment and man-agement company that plans to rehabilitate the building and reopen it to the public.
Banko Capital completed the purchase of the building out of foreclosure on Dec. 22. The purchase price was not disclosed.
Precisely what becomes of the historic theatre and when it might reopen, has not yet been determined, Tricia Greaney, property manager with South Bend-based Banko Capital, said.
“We need to figure out what the highest and best use of the theatre will be, and we are open to everything,” Greaney said Friday. “All we know is we want to contrib-ute to the community and downtown. Everyone has memories of the State Thea-tre, and we’ll be investing in its renovation.”
The State Theatre opened in 1921 as the Blackstone Theatre Vaudeville House, and contains bullet holes from a 1934 shootout be-tween police and John Dil-linger, whose gang robbed their last bank in that block.
Banko Capital also owns such properties as the York-towne building in downtown Mishawaka, the Viridean of-fice building in South Bend, and it has ownership in the North Douglas Condomini-ums in Mishawaka.
Not only are South Bend city officials pleased the State Theatre has a new owner, but they also are looking forward to assisting Banko Capital as it moves forward with planning the future use and renovating the theatre.
“They have expressed that they do not plan to rehabili-tate the building in a vac-uum,” Tamara Nicholl-Smith, director of downtown business recruitment for South Bend, said.
She said the new owners have “expressed to us their enthusiasm about the build-ing, not only due to its his-toric significance and aes-thetic beauty, but also because of the potential im-portance the building can once again play in the down-town community.”
Read more about the State Theatre sale in Saturday’s South Bend Tribune.
Staff writer Heidi Prescott:
hprescott@sbtinfo.com
574-235-6070
quote:Looks like I have some work to do!!
The new owner of the old State Theatre in South Bend plans to bring the building back to life in 2013.
While the State Theatre is expected to house some type of commercial enterprise, exactly ‘what type’ is still not clear.
“It was a church for a while, it was a night club for a while, but initially when it launched, it was a state of the art silent film (theater) with an orchestra pit, and organ,” said Tamara Nichol-Smith with DTSB.
While South Bend based Banko Capital bought the building in January the company and DTSB are turning to the community at large to find a new use by staging a contest that will start April 1st.
“And in the first round anyone will be able to submit their idea for what they think the State Theatre should be, then we’ll take the top ideas and these people will be allowed to go into round two where they’ll be able to flesh their concept out,” said Nichol-Smith.
Contestants who make it to the second road will be coached by a business mentor from the North Central Indiana Small Business Development Center.
The final round involves “a presentation in front of a live panel of experts, and an audience here at the State Theatre in June,” said Nichol-Smith.
If it sounds like a TV reality show, Nichol-Smith says the contest is loosely based on the show “Shark Tank.”
The contest is open to anyone from amateurs to development professionals: from groups to individuals.
“That’s what we do at DTSB, we try things that other people haven’t tried before because what’s been done in the past hasn’t worked,” said Nichol-Smith.
One tenant in the State Theatre building is willing to play along. Ehninger Florist is moving from one State storefront to another so renovation work on the building can begin.
“From what we understand they're going to renovate, I believe they need some extra space for handicap accessible bathrooms,” said Shari Sandberg with Ehninger Florist.
Referring to the contest, Sandberg said, “I really haven’t seen anything like it, but I’m excited, it sounds like a really interesting contest to get the community involved, community involvement is always great.”
The individual or group that comes up with the best plan for the future of the building will win $1,000 and perhaps see their plan carried out.
“The thing is we have no idea, what the idea is going to be,” said Nichol-Smith. “The owner of the building has every intention of bringing this building back to life by 2013. Sometime in 2013, the earlier the better, and so it’s just going to depend on how much capital the winning idea needs.”
While much of the building houses the old theater there are also second floor offices and first floor storefronts, so any proposal should take that into account.
Since many people probably haven’t been in the building for years, an open house with public tours has been scheduled for April 10th. The tours will start at 12:15 p.m., 3:15 p.m., and 5:15 p.m.
More information on the contest itself will soon be posted on a special website.
News Center 16 will publish the address of that website when the site is ready to host traffic.
In the meantime, the first step of the contest calls for writing a 300 word-or-less summary of a business idea, along with a 100 word-or- less personal biography.
“This is a little different, but I would say the owner of the building is a little different in a very good way. He wants to be sure that he does something the community will really embrace,” said Nichol-Smith.
quote:Watch the video too, and you'll see me!!
SOUTH BEND — The State Theater has stood idle for years on South Michigan Street, but the grand movie palace still has plenty of admirers.
The downtown landmark means so much to local residents that dozens of them headed into the non-air-conditioned theater Tuesday afternoon just to listen to ideas that could help reopen it.
Banko Capital bought the State out of foreclosure in December and worked with Downtown South Bend Inc. to solicit the community’s visions for the old theater through a "Pitch Your Plan" contest. The call for input drew 88 entries in April, and the 10 finalists presented their proposals Tuesday.
Banko President Assaf Zvi Dagan said the winning idea won’t necessarily be implemented, but he does value the ideas that were submitted.
"First, we need to get the right idea. Then we need to get the capital," Dagan said. "The idea is to find something for the long run."
Gavin Ferlic, Paul Phair and David Sierdzki presented the winning pitch Tuesday.
Their idea is to make the State into a "rotating entertainment venue" that screens movies, and hosts musical and comedy acts on a regular schedule.
"What we found is, unfortunately, downtown at this time likely cannot support any single one of these," Ferlic told the contest’s four judges. "However, all of these combined can provide enough diversity and enough sustainability for a business to succeed."
Ferlic, who is a South Bend Common Council member and a business consultant at Innovation Park at Notre Dame, said the State would complement other entertainment venues in the city.
He said it’s smaller than the Morris Performing Arts Center, would have a different focus than the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center and, unlike Club Fever, would be open to people of all ages.
Ferlic added that drawing bands and comedians to the State could help other venues by proving to promoters that South Bend has a market for more entertainment.
Dagan presented the winners with a $1,000 check as a prize.
Staff writer Kevin Allen:
kallen@sbtinfo.com
574-235-6244
Copyright © 2012, WSBT-TV