Main Street Matters, November 2014 Page: 1
14 p. : col. ill.View a full description of this periodical.
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TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION
Main Street Matters
A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE TEXAS MAIN STREET PROGRAMNOVEMBER 2014 COMMUNITY HERITAGE DEVELOPMENT DIVISION P. O. BOX 12276, AUSTIN,TX 78711 .512.463.6092
SHOWSTOPPERS:
HISTORIC THEATER
RESTORATIONS ON
TEXAS MAIN STREETS
Article written by Rebekka Adams,
Assistant State Coordinator, Texas Main
Street Program
Visiting Main Streets throughout
Texas, one icon is prevalent in
most downtowns -a historic
theater. Some of these theaters are
architectural masterpieces, while
others fit into the streetscape
as a modest storefront with a
marquee. These theaters are
important to our communities
as they are places that spark our
creativity, sanctuaries for art
and cinema, and places for us
to be collectively entertained
and escape reality, even if only
for but an hour. Unfortunately,
many of these treasures have long
since shuttered their doors due to
economic hardships and changing
technologies, leaving a hole in
the hearts of our downtowns.
Luckily, the value of historic
theaters is now realized and many
communities are fighting hard to
save and restore these treasured
buildings.
The economic benefits ofrestoring historic theaters to
operating venues has been proven
in case studies throughout the
United States. Studies in other-L-
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The Palace Theater in Georgetown is an excellent example of a restored theater in the heart
of Main Street. Restored in 2000, the project took 3.5 years and a million dollar budget.states show the positive local
economic impact of audience
spending in arts related events.
A 2005 study by the Seattle
Arts and Cultural Affairs Office
estimates that resident attendees
spend on average $21.27 per day
in event-related purchases, while
non-resident attendees spend an
average of $31.92 per day.
Based on data from the Texas
Office of the Governor, Economic
Development and Tourism
and studies commissioned by
cities, nonprofit arts and culture
industries generate $2.46 billion
in tourism spending. Thistranslates into 21,000 jobs with
earnings in excess of $700 million.
In addition, the state and local
governments received $158.5
million in tax revenue from these
visitors.
Though nostalgia runs deep in
these places, it takes modern
technology to make theaters
economically feasible once again.
This article explores a handful of
theaters in Texas Main Street cities
that are working hard to revitalize
their downtowns by restoring their
theaters. We then give you some
resources to get started on workingTEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Texas Main Street Program
www.thc.state.tx.s
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Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas Historical Commission. Main Street Matters, November 2014, periodical, November 2014; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1551313/m1/1/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.