Submitted by ludlowfair t3_zz5pqn in jerseycity
Over a year after closing the theater it seems the actual reno hasn't started and terms are still being negotiated with FOL. They're also fundraising for screen repairs not included in the design plans. Hope they hit their targets for reopening:
Real talk, but no one wants to hear the truth.
FoL should cease and desist and let the professionals take over. They did a great thing saving the Loew's but have far outlived their need and usefulness.
seems to be the general consensus. We had to just wait their whole lease out because they couldn't just step aside and let the professionals do their job.
It's just a total mind fuck that 8+ years ago AEG was ready to take over the rehab work, on their own dime, with a (perhaps aspirational) completion date in 2015. But, nooooo! FoL just couldn’t stand being muscled aside and instead of letting an experienced professional company complete the work and get the place ready for local, regional, and national acts, they insisted on enforcing their lease and refused to budge, even after a ridiculously accommodating agreement that ensured that local groups and organizations would have guaranteed access (60 days, iirc) to the Loew's to hold performances and other events.
Exactly. The Loews could jump started the current revitalization of J.Sq years ago and brought much needed tax revenue as well. They claim others are trying to strong arm them but they are holding onto the theater eith an iron fist.
sad
Yeah and as the saying goes…”With FRIENDS like that who needs enemies”
Well, it doesn't help that the city spent years sabotaging and stealing grant money for the theater that was intended for restoration. If the city hadn't done that, the FOL may have been able to get the theater renovated a long time ago, but Fulop was determined to get the theater into private hands.
It's been frustrating to me as well that the Loews is still in terrible condition, but the city has played a big part in that. And I'm glad the Loews fought to get an agreement that keeps some dates for community events and arts, because the original plan to just turn it over to a multi billion dollar company with little oversight and barely any events for community use was ridiculous.
The amount of money needed to restore the theater is far more than any community event showing classic movies for like $5 or grant money could do. The restorations alone would cost approximately $75 million. Plus, this city is sorely in need of tax revenue, specifically something that could potentially bring in millions annually in taxes. Whether anyone likes it or not the theater was a major financial drain on the city and continues to be.
Plus, this theater was literally made for "big" events. Classical movies are cool but it's not going to draw a crowd
>And I'm glad the Loews fought to get an agreement that keeps some dates for community events and arts, because the original plan to just turn it over to a multi billion dollar company with little oversight and barely any events for community use was ridiculous.
Huh? The original 2014 AEG deal that was sadly cancelled because the FOL would not give up their lease had a guaranteed number of community events in it.
Yeah a whopping 20 days per year.
[deleted]
The Kings Theater had a beautiful and faithful restoration through a partnership of government and business interests. They managed it without a group like FOL in the process.
The Kings also holds a number of events for the community with local groups and BIDs. There's no single gatekeeping NPO who requires a specific number of days and is the arbiter of the kind of events that take place there.
I'd much rather have the new management of the Loew's committed to working with a number of local groups than force them to work with a single group with a particular vision of the purpose of that theater.
We all should have been enjoying live entertainment for the last 8 years and most likely a quicker comeback of Journal Square with new restaurants, bars, shops, etc.
But no….…..
AEG Live set to take over Loew's in Jersey City
Published: Jun. 26, 2014, 8:35 p.m.
By Terrence T. McDonald | The Jersey Journal
AEG Live, one of the globe's largest concert promoters, is set to win a contract to take over management of the Landmark Loew's Jersey Theatre in Jersey City, and the firm pledges to bring "top talent" to the Journal Square theater.
…
“Mark Shulman, AEG's vice president and general manager, said the firm hopes to make the Loew's "a hub for the entire area." Programming should begin in late 2015, after renovations are complete, according to Schulman.”
….
AEG, which will partner with New Jersey City University and Mana Contemporary to offer 40 community events annually.
Nothing in Jersey City gets saved or fixed unless someone makes money off the fixing.
That creepy organ player was legend tho.
Don't post Facebook links, not everyone has an account (anymore)
I've never had a Facebook account and I was able to read it, so I supposed everyone could.
Brudesandwich t1_j29m1yr wrote
While the FOL was instrumental in saving the theater they've become a nuisancein its restoration. They are a big part as to why is taken so long to renovate