Sad day. Here's a press release that came over the wires today. Baltimore residents, please note date and time change for the public town hall: Monday, March 16th, 7:00 PM at The Senator.
HISTORIC LANDMARK HEADED TO AUCTION AND UNCERTAIN FUTURE
BALTIMORE, March 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The historic Senator Theatre has been pursuing a transition to community-based ownership, but debt and operational deficits are threatening to derail the plan. The theatre's mortgage is in default and analysis of current cash flow indicates that closure and an auction sale are imminent.
"We just received notice that accelerated foreclosure is proceeding, said Senator owner Tom Kiefaber. "It's alarming to be in such a precarious position at this critical point when so many people who appreciate The Senator want it to remain in operation through this transition to a community-owned resource."
Results from recent round table discussions, online forums and town meetings demonstrated strong support among Baltimore's business and residential communities for the theatre to remain open as ownership transitions from Kiefaber to a new non-profit, community owned entity. Historic theatres nationwide have undergone non-profit conversion to expand educational and entertainment programming and ensure their preservation.
In response to Kiefaber's advocacy of community ownership of The Senator, leaders from across Baltimore recently formed The Senator Community Trust. The non-profit entity plans to commence raising funds to purchase the theatre in its mission "to preserve, protect and restore Baltimore's cherished landmark, the historic Senator Theatre."
A town hall meeting will be held at The Senator on Monday, March 16th at 7pm.
Kiefaber has agreed to a request from The Senator Community Trust to make the theatre available for the town meeting as an open forum to provide the public with the facts and discuss how this situation is likely to affect The Senator and the extended community. The Trust has invited city and state officials and members of the city's ad hoc Senator Steering Committee. All concerned are welcome and encouraged to attend.
A recent public offer by Mayor Dixon's office to Kiefaber is intended to reduce the theatre's debt and facilitate The Senator's conversion to non-profit ownership as a proviso of the deal. "I have notified the city of my acceptance of their offer, but the details are yet to be resolved. It's an involved process that's being pressured by the foreclosure timeline," Kiefaber said.
Sean Brescia of Clearpath Management, who has been working to demonstrate the viability of multi-purpose uses for the theatre and helping coordinate efforts among the various parties, said, "These scenarios take time to develop properly and no one, including the city, is going to have the chance to identify the most viable opportunities ahead if the outcome is forced by foreclosure."
There has been much public speculation regarding the city's offer to Kiefaber, which is conditioned on the city's determination that a non-profit Senator Theatre is sustainable. In an apparent contradiction of the stated terms of the offer, that pivotal decision may have been made already.
According to a member of the city's Senator Theatre steering committee, "We have looked at many examples for a nonprofit and not one of them exists without considerable subsidy. That is not possible in today's environment." In reference to the newly formed Senator Community Trust, the representative added, "If the Trust wishes an active role, they should begin raising the several hundred thousand [dollars] required to bid at auction. There are likely to be excellent and well-financed bidders there and it's my guess that is likely to be where we are in a few short weeks."
"I don't presume to speak to the city's intentions," Brescia added, "They need to speak for themselves. There seems to be a lot of confusion about their perspective and the participation of city officials at Monday's town meeting would greatly benefit public understanding of the situation. In any case, the theatre is headed rapidly to auction. It's now up to people to make their voices heard and ask the city to follow through on their offer if the community wants to have any say in the Senator's uncertain future."
Contact: Clearpath Management Senator Management 866.944.4409 x1 410.435.3583 info@clearpathmanagement.com info@senator.com
SOURCE Clearpath Management |
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Comments: 12
Baltimore is a place of incredible historic significance to our country, and to be able to trace that history over the centuries and its development is important to American history. Period architecture, especially when it is brought to life through public uses, is so important.
I have been a "fan" of Baltimore because of its rich history. A few years ago, I was a huge fan of the TV series Homicide - Life on the Streets, which did such a great job of taking us into Baltimore--the waterfront and the neighborhoods.
Thanks for the updates! Best of luck in the uncertain future for the Senator.
Lord, Hear the CRY of your humble People, Please forgive our sins and heal our land,
In the name of Jesus
While living there I went many times the lush atmosphere of by gone days is infused into the walls.
I knew as so many that it was running on a wing and a prayer.They have been trying to turn the Mt. Vernon area into a posh area for so many train commuter"from D.C. and surounding areas to live in. Close my eyes and the memories spring to life.
There was a vicious attach outside Coconuts earlier this week with one dead on scene and several in fear of loss of life.
After living in the Mt. Vernon area of Baltimore City I shed tears and can only hope somehow this Historic area can be saved.