New Study on Westmont Theatre is now available

“A new study of the Westmont Theater estimates over $3.1 million would be the minimum to restore the 85-year-old entertainment venue to an operable state.” Read the full story at The Retrospect.

“Mayor Randy Teague said he and  Commissioners Paul Dougherty and John Foley have reviewed the Gibson study and plan to begin discussions of the theatre’s future at Tuesday’s Caucus meeting of the governing body. While little is certain about the theatre’s future use, Teague said the public will be invited to comment.

The Tuesday Caucus is tomorrow night (July 17).  Anyone interested in the Westmont Theatre, its future or want to learn more about the study is encouraged to attend the meeting.
 

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Halloween Parade this Saturday

This Saturday the Friends of the Westmont Theatre will be selling popcorn and waters at the Haddon Township Halloween Parade. The parade starts at 7:30pm on Haddon Ave. If you’re interested in helping out, or want more info on the group, please feel free to contact us through the ‘About Us’ page or stop by the booth on Saturday.

 

We’re still here…

Hi all…sorry if it looks like we went into the dark. The holiday season and early 2011 was a very busy time. And to be honest, not much has happened with the Westmont during that time. The NCW is alive and well; they’re still working on the non-profit status (it’s a long process).  We’ll keep you posted on the next NCW meeting, as well as any information from the town and county on the next steps for the theatre.

NCW meeting is tonight

Tonight at 6:45 in the Rohrer Memorial Library the NCW will meet to discuss their next steps, including the formation of their non-profit group. If you’re interested in the Westmont, or the group, please come out for the meeting.

Reminder: Haddon Twp Block Party This Saturday

Don’t forgot that this Saturday is Haddon Twp’s Annual Block Party on West Park Ave. The Neighbors Celebrating the Westmont are participating, so keep an eye out for their booth. This year the groups doing the following:

• Handing out freshly popped bags of popcorn
• Handing out free copies of the “The Grand Old Lady” book
• Screening their NCW awareness video
• Email newsletter sign-ups
• Suggestion box on how to restore the theatre

If you’re coming out that day, and it’s supposed to be a beautiful day, why not stop over at their booth and share a Westmont Theatre memory or two – bring your friends too.

See you then!

Westmont article in today’s Courier Post

In today’s edition of the Courier Post is a new article on the Westmont, and her recent listing on the N.J. historic registry.

“The Westmont Theater has been placed on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places, a move that allows the township to apply for historic preservation grants for the long-closed structure. Having the building on the New Jersey Register shows the commitment of the town to saving it,” said Margaret Westfield, a Haddon Heights historic preservation architect and member of Friends Celebrating the Westmont, a community group that has lobbied to preserve the 82-year-old vaudeville house. “Now the building, in its entirety, will be preserved…”

Upcoming NCW meeting

The NCW is planning to hold a meeting this month to discuss their next steps with regards to the Westmont. The meeting date/time has not been set but will most likely be at the Rohrer Memorial Library in Haddon Township. If you’re interested in attending, please send an email through the contact us page and someone will reach out to you with the meeting information.

‘Twp wins again in Westmont Theatre case’

In this past week’s edition of The Retrospect is another article on the recent Haddon Twp ruling on the Westmont Theatre. This article goes into a little detail on the groups, including the NCW, that are interested in the theatre.

On Tuesday, Haddon Township’s governing body received another ruling in its favor for severing a redevelopment contract involving the Westmont Theatre.
Haddon Township Mayor Randy Teague welcomed the news and said the commissioners will continue to pursue development of the theater… read more

Haddon Township Wins Ruling!

On the cover of the South Jersey section in this mornings Courier Post is the Westmont Theatre.

“A U.S. Court of Appeals  ruling has cleared the way for the redevelopment of one of Haddon Avenue’s most recognizable landmarks.The decision, released on Tuesday, upheld a previous court ruling that said the township had the right to sever an agreement with the Westmont Development Group LLC for the redevelopment of the Westmont Theater.The group, headed by Joanna Pang, who also operates the Trocadero in Philadelphia, hoped to turn the 82-year-old vaudeville house into a live performing arts venue.” Click here to read more

What’s going on with the Westmont?!

We’ve been getting a LOT of emails on the status of the Westmont. And as the old saying goes “no news is good news” may in fact be the case with the theatre, we still have our concerns. The NCW has reached out to the township several times in the past few months to schedule a  follow up meeting to their December business/strategic development plan they presented. They are still waiting to hear back from the township.

So, we have no news to report. Is that good or bad? We can’t say but we are hopeful. And now that spring is in the air, and the fence is down, perhaps forward movement will proceed. In either case we’ll keep you posted!