The Old Fulton Theatre is making an encore performance. Last month, The Brick District organization voted unanimously to take on the renovation of the historic building. The theater has been abandoned for over five years now, and hasn’t been functional since 2005. District president Thomas Riley said the theater has a lot of potential, but needs work.
“We’ve been working on downtown development for a number of years," he said. "The theater represents probably the biggest potential asset we could have for downtown development… but right now, it might be the biggest detriment.”
Brick District Vice President Debbie LaRue also envisions the theater, which will be renamed the ‘Brick District playhouse,’ as a major asset for Fulton’s economy.
“I think honestly as we provide these different events at the playhouse, it will encourage people to spend a little time in Fulton – to go to our restaurants, to go to our shops, to tour the Westminster and William Woods campuses. We have a lot to offer here in Fulton.”
But this project isn’t just about Fulton exploring a new way to improve the local economy – there’s some nostalgia involved. LaRue said that the old theater holds a place in the hearts of the Fulton community.
“As we are talking to people about renovating it, you can just see a spark in their eyes as they reminisce about going to a particular movie years ago or who they were with. It is a downtown treasure,” LaRue said.
Riley shared a similar sentiment.
“It’s played a big role for everybody,” Riley said. “I mean, my first date with my wife was in that theater, and everyone has that sort of story so historically it’s important.”
It’s not just the memories the theater holds that make it historic – the structure itself is a rarity. The theater was built in 1927 and opened in 1928, and is unique for this area of the country. It still has an orchestra pit, pipe organs, and an open balcony - all of which date back to when it first opened. Riley talked about its Art Deco components, and LaRue described it as having a lot of character.
It’s also at the heart of downtown – which matters a lot to Fulton citizens from a visual standpoint.
“From a prosaic standpoint, the first thing you see is the theater,” Riley said. “When the first thing you see is a building that has been abandoned for ten years, that’s not good.”
Riley described the renovation as a two-step process. Step one involves clearing out the building, getting it properly lit, and tearing out everything that isn’t part of its original architecture. Riley said that process has already begun, and should be completed within the next few weeks.
Step two will be a little more difficult. In order to execute the vision the Brick District has in mind, they’re going to need the support of the Fulton community.
“We’re going in with a lot of energy, a lot of volunteers, a lot of ideas, and a little bit of money and seeing what we can do,” Riley said.
Still, LaRue said it’s the memories of the old theater that inspires the Brick District to bring it back to life.
“Many of us grew up with the theater and we have memories – good memories – and we would like to renovate the theater so our children can have similar fond memories,” she said.
Brick District officials expect the renovation to take somewhere between two to three years.
