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Published: 2011-07-13 14:06:49
Updated: 2011-07-13 14:06:49

Posted: July 13, 2011

Cary buys old theater for cultural center

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Cary, N.C. — Cary has purchased the former site of the town’s first indoor movie theater, which officials said they plan to turn into a multi-use cultural facility.

The town paid $410,000 for the 65-year-old, 7,488-square-foot building at 122 E. Chatham St. Officials said they expect to spend another $1 million in the next 12 to 18 months to renovate the building so it can handle music, theater and film events.

“Its location in the heart of Cary’s downtown and its early history as Cary’s first indoor movie theater were key factors in the town’s decision to immediately proceed with the project,” Ed Gawf, Cary's downtown development manager, said in a statement.

Officials said they hope to proceed with design bids and the selection of a consultant next month and begin work by this winter. The facility is expected to be ready for public use by the end of 2012.

Copyright 2011 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Latest Comments
$410K plus another Million?

Must be nice to spend money on stuff nobody needs.
james27613
July 15, 2011 7:49 p.m.
Scare Crow...you missed my point entirely. Mighty large building for "craft classes"!!!! genralwayne...now he knows what we are talking about!
mesunrise
July 15, 2011 3:52 p.m.
MESUNRISE, you need to get out of your car and walk around the old school, maybe go up the steps, I've heard craft classes is being held there. Besides all this construction and renovation is good for the economy.
Click to view my profile Scare Crow
July 15, 2011 11:10 a.m.
"...I give you the Cary Arts Center which opens this month with its grand opening in August."

Precisely the point...Why do we need another "cultural art theater" a mere three blocks from this marvelous old school. Restoring a town's historic center is a great objective - but, do it by attracting affluent and desirable businesses rather than raising taxes and bonds and spending it all on frivolous "government centers." The hi-brow town "leaders" of Cary don't have a clue.
Click to view my profile genralwayne
July 14, 2011 8:17 a.m.
Why can't this multi-use cultural center be incorporated somehow in the renovation of the former Cary Elementary School building? They have, from road observations, gutted the total insides of this historic building. Old time Caryites are so fed up with the destruction of so many buildings and tear down of so many old homes in downtown Cary. Cary needs to take a look at downtown Apex. Now, that is a charming place to be. We have missed the boat all the way around. Money thrown out the window one more time...been too many years since it was a movie theater. I remember when it was and then it went to a clothing store and then to auto parts. Give us a break...it's a lost cause!!!!
mesunrise
July 13, 2011 5:13 p.m.
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