Shuttered for 20 years, iconic art deco Upper West Side cinema on path to reopening
Briefly

The historic Metro Theater on New York's Upper West Side, closed since 2005, is on track to reopen after being purchased by the Upper West Side Cinema Center for $6.9 million. Supported by a $3.5 million grant from the state, the nonprofit aims to restore the theater to its former glory, featuring five screens and an arts education center. However, they face challenges in securing further funding for renovations, highlighting both excitement and caution surrounding the project.
Ira Deutchman, president of the nonprofit at a news conference Sunday morning, stated, "The marquee lights of the Metro Theater have been dark for too long. After two decades of false starts and dashed hopes, we finally have the property secured."
Deutchman highlighted the potential challenges by stating, "This critical moment brings both opportunity and risk. Without sufficient community support and funding for the renovation phase, we could face the heartbreaking possibility of yet another stalled project, another empty promise on Broadway."
Read at Gothamist
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