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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

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bodhipooh t1_j2b1l32 wrote

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.

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mooseLimbsCatLicks t1_j2bc6iq wrote

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.

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bodhipooh t1_j2brmax wrote

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.

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Brudesandwich t1_j2bzgsg wrote

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.

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SoundMachineJC t1_j2bhcvl wrote

Yeah and as the saying goes…”With FRIENDS like that who needs  enemies”

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oatmealparty t1_j2c1l73 wrote

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.

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Brudesandwich t1_j2c3bim wrote

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

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SoundMachineJC t1_j2dgcdu wrote

>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.

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ludlowfair OP t1_j2f6bha wrote

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.

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