Be our Guest: Fox on Main LLC’s efforts to save the Fox Theater facade
By Jim Fetherston
Vice President
The Fox on Main, LLC Board of Directors
On Nov. 5, the Fox on Main, LLC Board, including two of the three Sanders family members, unanimously voted in favor of selling the Fox Theater building to the City for $1 and dissolving the donation agreement dated Oct 5, 2012.
The donation agreement deed restricts the property’s “use for civic, governmental, cultural or educational purposes including but not limited to: movie theatre, stage for theatrical performances, art gallery, music studio, music hall, dance studio, school, restaurant, special food store, culinary arts, and general or related activities supporting arts, entertainment and culture including a restaurant.”
This fulfilled the necessary board action for the city to proceed with their plans for future development while saving the Main Street façade. The board remains optimistic that the involved parties will reach an agreement and that the facade will remain on Main Street.
The Sanders family members, per the conditions of the donation agreement, have had three seats on the Fox on Main Board since the donation of the facility. The board has actively worked to determine a sustainable use and find necessary funding for long term building renovation.
The entire board voted in favor of the Fox on Main’s recent plans to move forward with razing portions of the building to repurpose the facility as the IDEA Center. The Fox on Main Board, following years of research and several community funding requests, was not able to find a sustainable business model or community financial support to accomplish a renovation other than the IDEA Center.
No other plans have been brought to the board for a vote or discussion in relation to this property.
The board remains hopeful that an agreement between the city and the Sanders is still possible.