Tivoli Theater
Reception to Discuss Historic Tivoli Theater
Demolition
Community Renaissance, Inc. (CRI), a new
community/economic revitalization group, announces a
reception to speak about the future of the historic Tivoli Theater
on Tuesday, February 28th at O'Brien's Restaurant (32 East
Market Street) in downtown Spencer, Indiana beginning at 5 PM.
The Tivoli Theater was built by E.M. Viquesney and opened on
New Year's Eve in 1928 having enjoyed billing in national
theater publications as "the finest thing of its kind." Today, the
Tivoli sits vacant having had its demolition permit issued this
past November.
Kathy Cook, an 18 year-old college student at Indiana University
and a 2005 graduate of Owen Valley High School in Spencer,
was concerned about the imminent demolition of this very
important landmark and began the push to save the theater in
late 2005.
Ryan Bruce and Dax Norton, community leaders in Bloomington
and not-for-profit executives, contacted Cook in November and
created CRI for the sole purpose of saving the Tivoli. "I was
devastated by the news that our theater was going to be torn
down. It means so much to so many people in the community,
and I just wanted to do some thing to stop this from happening,"
Cook said.
In late December, Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana
and Owen County Preservation Inc. pledged to assist CRI and
secured a loan to acquire, stabilize and begin the restoration of
the theater. "In November the Tivoli was slated for demolition, in
December it was put on hold, and today, only through the
supportive cooperation of Historic Landmarks, Owen County
Preservation, and CRI, we are announcing that the theater will
be saved from demolition and restored to its former glory," Bruce
said.
CRI intends to use the restoration of the Tivoli as an economic
development tool for Spencer and Owen County. "This has the
potential to be the catalyst for the revitalization of the entire
downtown district of Spencer and jump start job creation in
Owen County," said Norton. "I can't think of a better billboard for
Spencer than to light up that marquee and show the entire state
of Indiana that downtown Spencer is open for business." Norton
added.
CRI plans to close the real estate deal on Tuesday, February 28,
2006 at 1p.m. and begin the restoration project immediately. For
additional information, historical materials, photographs or to
make a contribution, please contact Dax Norton at
812-322-8236 or Ryan Bruce at 812-327-9342. CRI may also be
reached via email at info@tivolitheater.org.