City may find after-life in Paradise Theater

[croat]

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http://www.westallisnow.com/news/79320562.html

West Allis — With its boarded up windows outside and unused theater and office spaces inside, the historic Paradise Theater still looks like a building in transition at the corner of one of the city's busiest intersections.

It's a scene at Greenfield and National avenues and 60th Street that's become pretty familiar to passers-by. Since movies stopped playing there in 1996, the building has struggled to attract a permanent tenant, which has contributed to its deterioration and the unsightly scene.

But West Allis officials are now exploring whether there is any historic preservation money to aid in the redevelopment of the theater, 6229 W. Greenfield Ave.
A developing situation

The city is in the early stages of seeing whether state funds are available to help the city purchase the property, with the ultimate goal of getting it into the hands of a private developer, city Planner Shaun Mueller said.

"We're just seeing what's out there to see if we could assist moving those properties along," Mueller said.

The city has long sought to restore the building, in part due to its location in the emerging, redeveloped Six Points neighborhood and also because of its historic nature.
Banking on the future

The building is now owned by the State Bank of Chilton after a foreclosure. The Paradise Family Life Center was the latest tenant, holding religious services there for about four years.

The group that ran the church, Ziklag Global Investments, was forced out due to the foreclosure and after the Common Council last year revoked its special-use permit.

Aldermen at the time said the group didn't live up to its obligations of the permit - one of the stipulations was putting windows on the east end of the building - and owed $70,000 toward parking for the area's redevelopment.

The once-open aired east end of the building was eventually boarded up amid neighbors' and city officials' complaints of skateboarders and loitering.
A history of economic woe

Tough economic times are nothing new for the Paradise Theater. It was built during the Great Depression and allowed cash-strapped residents to see movies for a nickel, said Devan Gracyalny, West Allis Historical Society president.

Gracyalny has been told the building is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and he hopes grant money can help revitalize the building.

"I think it's a wonderful building and I would hope it can be saved either privately or through a private-public joint partnership," he said.

[Josh]

I knew the original idea was to put in either a Walmart or Target in that spot, and use the land where me and Matt were living as parking for it.  But I'm guessing they didn't want customers walking across the street with their carts and what nots.

[croat]

What - no ... they were going to build a box store a few blocks to the west were it is currently undeveloped. I think the corner section of that building would make an owsome bar spot.

[Josh]

dozens and dozens of proposed ideas.  bottom line to all of it, was that they were gonna use the north side of the street for the parking.  the condos were never originally going to go where they were across from crawdaddies.  oh wells.

[croat]

Ex-Rosebud Cinema operator interested in Paradise Theater

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/business/84228297.html

This would be nice - and if this plan goes through ..... the turn key restaurant/bar/banquet facility that is directly across the street with a $99k sale tag will be sold instantly (which is still crazy its still on the for sale block)!

[Josh]

what do you think the hold up is?  parking, sewer flies, roaches, rodents, bad plumbing/electrical, high heating/cooling bills, overhaul remodel needed?

[croat]

Right now .... location - even tho that should be a main selling point.

Parking - they have some on the side and in the rear and on the street - not an issue.
Pests - not an issue.

The site is turn key as is - but def needs a remodel before you could attract anyone other than tavern rats into the joint. Even doing a full remodel of everything and getting all new equipment in the place - will still end up costing you (including the sale price for the land/building) less than what its valued at per the city.

Its a no brainer IMHO .... wish I had funds

[Josh]

it would make for a great "v" outdoor patio design.

[croat]

Absolutely ..... you should go view it one day if your bored ... Bonde wanted to check it out but backed out the last showing ... but still wants to see it.

[croat]

http://www.westallisnow.com/news/93326069.html

West Allis — City officials and developers over the last several months have spent considerable time pondering the future of the Paradise Theater, which opened at 6229 W. Greenfield Ave. in 1929.

It is now increasingly possible there could be no future at all.

The city has issued a razing order for the 81-year-old building because of its current state of deterioration.

The building will need to be repaired soon if there is any chance of saving it. It could be demolished as early as this summer if no private or public financing comes through, West Allis Development Director John Stibal said.

Council how the city should proceed. Aldermen may consider how much, if any, public money should be used to salvage the theater.
Memories of the way it was

One of those aldermen, Dan Roadt, said he has fond memories of the theater growing up and would love to find a way to keep it standing.

Roadt is a lifelong resident of West Allis who grew up at 88th and Arthur streets. During his youth, he would often walk with his brothers and neighbors a couple times a month to catch a movie.

"We were always up in the balcony with the troublemakers," Roadt said with a laugh.

But he wonders how many other residents have the same personal history with the Paradise Theater, and doubts a large number of them would support a public investment.

"I would love to save it, but at what cost?" Roadt said. "It's a beautiful building, but it needs a lot of work."

Mayor Dan Devine, too, said he hopes something can be worked out but it will come down how much the city is willing to put into it.

"I'd hate to see it go because it's an iconic structure," he said.
Long after last picture show

The movies stopped showing in 1996, and the theater has struggled to attract a permanent tenant since. The Paradise Family Life Center, a religious group which moved out early last year following a foreclosure, was the last group to occupy the building.

The State Bank of Chilton owns the building and has been trying to sell it ever since. The former owner of the Rosebud Cinema Drafthouse in Wauwatosa expressed interest in the building earlier this year, but plans never materialized.

[croat]

That sucks .....

[croat]

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/business/97859634.html



The Paradise Theater building, in West Allis, has been sold and is undergoing repairs.

That's the word from Courtney Hollis, registered agent for Paradise LLC. Hollis told me via email that Paradise LLC now owns the building, 6229 W. Greenfield Ave.

A Facebook page for the theater says some repairs have already occurred, but a lot more work is needed.

City officials earlier this year ordered the building either be repaired, or demolished.

"I am meeting with the city at the end of this week and should have a better idea as to the future of this project after that meeting," Hollis said, in the email.

Hollis, who has the same address as former Rosebud Cinema Drafthouse owner Jay Hollis. couldn't be reached Tuesday morning for additional information. Jay Hollis, who sold the Rosebud, 6823 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa, in 2007, said in February he was interested in buying the Paradise building.

The theater closed in 1996, and the building was used by religious groups. It was acquired by State Bank of Chilton in November after the bank filed a foreclosure suit.

[croat]

Bravo

[croat]

And they sold it to another church - partial win as it will be renovated and saved.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/business/123857979.html

[croat]

And the update folks - wow its been almost a year now!

http://www.jsonline.com/features/religion/epikos-church-to-reach-out-with-west-allis-satellite-2l5bpc0-151325665.html

Yea its a church but at least they are open and honest I guess that it was started as a business and is a business ... hmmmm maybe I should start salvation, I guess thats where the millions are

They are opening a coffee shop on the corner (which is what I was trying to get my sister to invest into as its a perfect spot). I will be checking their cafe out when done (smart business folk) - down the road and supports the community. Still - such a  beautiful building inside and out.