Oregon Historic Theaters : Statewide Survey and Needs Assessment Prepared by: Community Planning Workshop A Program of the Community Service Center September 2015 Oregon Historic Theater Needs Assessment Prepared by: Community Planning Workshop Community Service Center 1209 University of Oregon Eugene, OR 97403-1209 Email: [email protected] http://csc.uoregon.edu/cpw September 2015 This project was made possible by a grant from the Oregon Tourism Commission (OTC) and by a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA). The information presented in this report does not necessarily represent the perspectives of the funders. Cover Photo: Courtesy of Cascade Center of Photography Acknowledgements We wish to acknowledge and extend our thanks to all theater owners, operators, and volunteers who contributed to this project. We would also like to thank the following organizations and individuals: Travel Oregon Special thanks to Carole Astley and Kendra Perry Oregon Main Street Special thanks to Sheri Stuart Pacific Power Special thanks to Erik Andersson Community Planning Workshop (CPW) Staff Research Team: Rodney Bohner John Jackson Dana Nichols Craig Wiroll Project Coordinator: Aniko Drlik-Muehleck Program Director: Robert Parker, AICP About the Community Planning Workshop Community Planning Workshop (CPW) is one of the core programs of the University of Oregon’s Community Service Center (CSC) (csc.uoregon.edu). Established in 1977, CPW provides students the opportunity to address planning and public policy problems for clients throughout Oregon. Students work in teams under the direction of faculty to conduct research, analyze and evaluate alternatives, and make recommendations for possible solutions to planning problems in Oregon communities. Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................. ES-1 1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................... 1 Background ................................................................................................................................ 1 Purpose and Methods ................................................................................................................ 2 Organization of this Report ....................................................................................................... 3 2. OREGON’S HISTORIC THEATERS ............................................................................................................ 5 History of Oregon Theaters ....................................................................................................... 5 Modern Trends ........................................................................................................................... 6 Theaters as Community Assets ................................................................................................. 8 Theaters as Social Spaces .......................................................................................................... 8 A Chance for Theaters .............................................................................................................. 14 3. THE CURRENT STATE OF OREGON’S HISTORIC THEATERS .......................................................... 17 Physical Characteristics ........................................................................................................... 19 Operational Structure .............................................................................................................. 21 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 25 4. NEEDS ASSESSMENT ................................................................................................................................ 27 Financial Needs ........................................................................................................................ 36 5. THE CASE FOR HISTORIC THEATERS ................................................................................................... 45 Four Key Challenges ................................................................................................................ 45 Recommendations ................................................................................................................... 46 The Future of Oregon’s Historic Theaters .............................................................................. 50 APPENDIX I. RESOURCES ........................................................................................................................... A-1 Oregon Historic Theater Needs Assessment September 2015 Page i APPENDIX II. NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY ....................................................................................... A-8 APPENDIX III. CASE STUDIES ................................................................................................................. A-27 Iowa ....................................................................................................................................... A-28 New Mexico .......................................................................................................................... A-31 Avalon ................................................................................................................................... A-33 Palace .................................................................................................................................... A-36 APPENDIX IV. THEATER PROFILES ....................................................................................................... A-41 Academy Theater ................................................................................................................................................... A-41 Aladdin Theater ...................................................................................................................................................... A-49 Albany Civic Theater ............................................................................................................................................. A-50 Alberta Rose Theatre ............................................................................................................................................. A-51 Alhambra Theatre .................................................................................................................................................. A-52 Bijou Theater (Lincoln City) ................................................................................................................................ A-53 Broadway Theater .................................................................................................................................................. A-54 Cameo Theater ........................................................................................................................................................ A-55 Cinema 21 ................................................................................................................................................................. A-56 Columbia Theatre .................................................................................................................................................. A-57 Craterian Theater.................................................................................................................................................... A-58 Egyptian Theater .................................................................................................................................................... A-59 Elgin Opera House ................................................................................................................................................. A-60 Elsinore Theater ...................................................................................................................................................... A-61 Eltrym Theater ......................................................................................................................................................... A-62 Forest Theatre ......................................................................................................................................................... A-63 Gem Theater ............................................................................................................................................................ A-64 Grand Theater.......................................................................................................................................................... A-65 Holly Theater ............................................................................................................................................................ A-66 Hollywood Theater ................................................................................................................................................ A-67 Page ii 9/10/15 Oregon Historic Theater Needs Assessment Lake Theater ............................................................................................................................................................ A-68 Liberty Theater (Astoria) .....................................................................................................................................