The New Family Theater in downtown Mount Morris. File photo by Tony D'Imperio.

At a recent board meeting, Mayor Long announced that the village received $433,477 of state money for the revitalization of the New Family Theatre. The money will be used to demolish decaying parts of the structure, including the rear auditorium.

The 1930s Art Deco style façade and marquee will be spared the wrecking ball. These architectural features, facing Main Street, will be repaired and restored, while a one story structure is planned for construction in the space to the rear.

Since the village purchased the theatre, “maintenance has been neglected for way too long, and the effects of water infiltration are apparent throughout the entire structure; the building is in dire shape,” wrote Chatfield Engineers in an earlier report.

Built in 1932, the movie theatre has been closed since 1980 and then purchased by the village in 1984.
Restore NY is a program designed to encourage economic development by providing municipalities with financial assistance for renovating properties.

Long said this grant requires that the property, be sold to private interests after work is completed; this arrangement places the property back on the tax rolls. The board is hoping for a retail business in the building behind the facade.

Over the years, Mount Morris individuals, school and other groups have made generous monetary donations to Mount Morris Theatre Inc., a non-profit group which has advocated for eight years to restore the theatre as a performing arts center.

Most of  this money was used to share with the village in the costs of the engineering and market studies.
The prospect of an auditorium and stage in which dramatic, comedic or musical performances could be presented seems very low for the near future.

More news from the Village of Mount Morris in our Sept. 24 print edition.

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