Follow up meeting with Mayor

The meeting with the Mayor went well last Thursday. Topics that were discussed included restoration costs and parking. The follow up meeting scheduled for this week is to further discuss cost restoration, parking and theatre operation (day-to-day), and to create an action plan.

More info to follow…

Teaser trailer for new Westmont film

Since the premiere of The Grand Old Lady in May 2007, filmmaker Brent J. Donaway has continued to follow and film the status of the theatre and those who work to see it preserved/restored as a film and performing arts venue. Below is a teaser trailer for his new film, which is slated to be released in 2010.

done

‘Westmont Theatre a Step Closer to State Historic Registry’

Further details on the historic registry process are available in this week’s The Retrospect.

“Famed Hollywood director Stephen Spielberg’s childhood movie house moved a step closer to a listing on state and, potentially, national historic register designation. Haddon Township officials, though, are contemplating fighting the proposed designation…” Read More

‘Judge clears way for Westmont Theatre work’

In this morning’s South Jersey edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer is an article on the court ruling between the township and the Westmont Development Group (WDG).  Below is an excerpt from that article, which is in Section B, page 3 of the South Jersey edition.

“A federal judge set the stage for the transformation of the decaying Westmont Theater this week by lifting an injunction against local officials who want to… Read More

Waiting for June 23rd

There’s not much going on Westmont-wise right now.

Everyone  is waiting till June 23rd, when the Westmont historic application is up for review at the New Jersey Historic Preservation docket in Trenton.

Stay tuned…

Theatre might be added to NJ historic registry

Several years ago the township began a process to put the theatre on the NJ historic registry listing. And although that application was never finalized it did help secure a certificate of eligibility for the Westmont – which is an important step towards getting on the registry.

When the NCW was made aware of this certificate of eligibility they decided to submit a new application package. Over the course of a few months, and with the help from several people (including theatre historians, architects and preservationists), the NCW completed the application package and submitted it to the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office.

In March the application was received, reviewed and is now officially listed on the docket for consideration at the next meeting, which will be held in Trenton on June 23rd.

So what does that mean? Well… if the theatre is accepted and gets listed on the New Jersey historic registry it will provide preservation protection and help deter entities from tearing it down or using the building for purposes other than its original form and function – film and performing arts venue. Also… getting on the registry list provides access to many sources of funding and tax incentives!

Westmont Theatre recommended for Redevelopment Zoning

In this week’s edition of The Retrospect, there’s an article that says the H.T. planning board recommends that the Westmont theatre, 3 adjacent properties and the Russell Stone Cast Factory be designated redevelopment zones.

To view the complete story, click HERE 

Last night’s meeting

All three developers presented. The order of presenters: The Herman Group, The Retzler Group and Fieldstone. Each developer had 30 minutes to present their proposal and then had questioning by the commission and then it was open the a public Q&A with each developer. There was about 60 -100 people in attendance last night and the program ran long – it ended around 11PM. There was some applauding throughout the evening for the developers and there was also some scolding by town residents on some proposals. It was a mixed bag really.

We don’t want to speculate on “who won” or which proposal was/is the best. We will wait to see what The Retrospect (on Friday) and Courier Post (possibly tomorrow or Thursday) will run in their papers. We will then post that information here on the site. The commissioners did say that they weren’t making their decision tonight. We don’t know when the decision will be made or if there will be follow up meetings before that decision is announced.

We took some pictures but the lighting was bad- auditorium lights were dimmed for powerpoint presentations, so the pictures didn’t turn out too well. We will try to cleanup the shots we have and post them ASAP.

We want to thank the commission for organizing this historic public meeting. We also want to thank all three developers for taking the time to present their proposals and field questions from the residents. And lastly, we want to thank the town residents who came out to support the Westmont Theatre. Your dedication to preserving the theatre is duly noted and greatly appreciated!