Paramount plan focus of Thursday meeting

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

A group will meet at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Lemon Grove Cafe, a downtown restaurant at 122 W. Federal St., to develop a plan to turn the former Paramount Theatre into an outdoor entertainment venue.

The group supports the efforts of the city administration to purchase the former the long-closed theater building and seek state funding for demolition, said Jacob Harver, who owns the Lemon Grove and is a member of “The Paramount Project” group.

But city council opposes the purchase of the Paramount because of the liability of owning the dilapidated structure, and the uncertainty of obtaining a grant.

It could cost between $400,000 and $750,000 to remove the asbestos and then demolish the building. The 92-year-old building’s façade would remain.

The theater is at the northeast corner of West Federal and North Hazel streets.