SHARON Theater awaits new owners
Benefit concerts are in the works to raise initial funds for opening the building.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
SHARON, Pa. -- All that remains is the completion of the paperwork for the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation to take over the Columbia Theater.
Bob Crosby, president and chief executive officer of the foundation, said he secured the $10,000 asking price for the theater late Friday afternoon and turned it over to Atty. Ronald Amrhein, who represents the foundation.
He said Amrhein immediately faxed a copy of the check to Atty. Richard Epstein, who represents owner Columbia Theatre Inc., then delivered the check late Monday afternoon.
The Columbia Theatre board had sent Crosby a letter Friday morning offering to sell the building to the foundation for $10,000 cash.
Offer
The offer followed an attempt by Tony Butala, a Sharon native and member of The Lettermen singing trio as well as chairman and founder of the foundation, to buy the theater last month.
That offer was for $10,000 but came only with a down-payment check of $100 and a pledge to pick up Columbia Theatre Inc.'s debts on the theater up to a maximum of $10,000, Epstein said.
The offer was rejected, but the board of directors decided it would accept a $10,000 offer from the foundation if the money were paid up front, he said.
Crosby said the money is in Columbia Theatre Inc.'s hands and now details of the sale must be worked out.
Butala had bought the theater, closed since a fire destroyed its entryway in early 1981, at a tax sale in 1984 and gave it to Columbia Theatre Inc. for $1. The organization was formed to restore and reopen the theater but was never able to complete that mission, announcing last fall that it had given up the effort and would sell the building.
Plans
Butala and Crosby think they can get the Columbia open again. They see it as a natural link to the Vocal Group Hall of Fame & amp; Museum on East State Street.
Crosby said he'd like to be able to hold the hall's 2003 induction ceremony and concert there but admits he may be too optimistic. It will probably be October before any real work can be done on the structure, he said.
The plan is to get the theater up to building and safety code standards and open the doors as quickly as possible. Complete restoration could take years, he said.
He said he has no idea yet what it will cost to get the doors open so concerts can be held there.
The Lettermen will perform a benefit concert for the project June 30 in Packard Music Hall in Warren, and additional fund-raising concerts by other groups are being planned, Crosby said.
Government grants and private sponsors will also be sought to help with the financing, he said.
Columbia Theatre Inc. said it would take about $6 million for a complete restoration of the building.