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LIBERTY — There’s more signs that efforts to restore the historic Liberty Theater on Main Street are moving forward, most noticeably after a new marquee was installed last week.
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LIBERTY — There’s more signs that efforts to restore the historic Liberty Theater on Main Street are moving forward, most noticeably after a new marquee was installed last week.
The new aluminum marquee is a copy of the original that once illuminated Main Street starting back in 1935. Once wiring and other work is complete, the lights will return to downtown Liberty once again.
“We’re progressing. It’s just a little slower than I wanted to,” said developer Bruce Davidson. “There’s really been a backlog on material. We have to customize most of what we do.”
Davidson said they’re nearly complete with installing new windows and working on the storefronts alongside the theater. He says they’re currently working on the ticketbooth and hopes to complete that by December.
Inside the theater, Davidson said they’re continuing infrastructure work, including on the electrical and HVAC systems.
Davidson says that he hopes the storefronts and office space will be completely done by next September and the theater itself could reopen by 2023.
As previously reported in the Democrat, Davidson envisions the renovated venue will eventually host a dinner theater as well as a drop down screen for movies. The exterior storefronts could become cafes, bakeries or other businesses.
Town of Liberty Supervisor Frank DeMayo said he can still remember when David Gibson reopened the movie theater in the early 2000s and how important that was for the village.
“It really transformed downtown at that time,” he said.
DeMayo explained that, since word has spread about plans for the new Liberty Theater, the town has seen some renewed interest from other people looking to open businesses.
“I know Bruce is really dedicated to this project. It’s going to be the anchor to the village,” DeMayo said. “There’s no doubt about it.”
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ahart109
It was David Gibson and his partners who re-opened the theatre in the early 2000s.
Friday, November 5, 2021 Report this
Rachel Cunningham
Congratulations to all those - past and present - who remain p***ionate about revitalizing the Liberty Cinema and the Village of Liberty. I look forward to the cinema's re-opening - and will help spread the news! Shout out to my fellow members of the Cl*** of '85, and all of us who watched a flick at the Liberty Tri-Cinema and then headed to the Italian Delight for pizza afterwards... Good times then. Good times ahead!
Saturday, November 6, 2021 Report this