SENATOR Theatre RFP: Public Meeting on Jan 5

UPDATED: December 14, 2009 (E-mail text from Kristen Mitchell of the BDC – below)

We’ve had word from the BDC and Tom Kiefaber (who has continued to present programming at The Senator, at the request of city government while the RFP process plays out) that a public meeting to present and discuss the four SENATOR proposals, will be held the evening of January 5, 2010.

The time has not yet been nailed down, so we’ll update everyone when we know for sure.

We expect there will be representatives of each proposal on hand and hope folks will have an opportunity to present questions.

We encourage everyone concerned to mark your calendars now and clear that evening!

Developing…

In the meantime,
don’t forget to spread the word about the
holiday events taking place this weekend
and next – including the 19th Annual Food Drive!

===   12-14-2009 UPDATE   ===

Senator Theatre

Public Meeting

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

6:30 p.m.

Senator Theatre

5904 York Road

Baltimore, MD 21212

The purpose of this meeting is to give the public the opportunity to hear from the groups which responded to the Senator Theatre Request for Proposals (RFP).   If you have any questions regarding this meeting, contact Kristen Mitchell at the Baltimore Development Corporation at 410-779-3837 or kmitchell@baltimoredevelopment.com.

Kristen Mitchell

Senior Economic Development Officer

Commercial Revitalization

Baltimore Development Corporation

36 S. Charles Street, Suite 1600

Baltimore, MD 21201-3015

kmitchell@baltimoredevelopment.com

Phone: 410-837-9305

Direct: 410-779-3837

Fax: 410-837-6363

www.baltimoredevelopment.com

SENATOR Theatre: Classic Holiday Film Favorites & 19th Annual Food Drive!

December will be magic at The SENATOR!

A beloved classic for Chanukah!

Join us this weekend
Friday, December 11th
through
Sunday, December 13th

Shout it from the rooftops!

Friends of The Senator
present:

A Norman Jewison Film

Fiddler on the Roof

(1971 – 3 hrs)

Michael Sragow – Baltimore Sun

Starring:
Chaim Topol, Norma Crane,
Leonard Frey, Molly Picon & Paul Mann

Presented with a rare collector’s “roadshow” film print
featuring a four-track “mag” stereo soundtrack.

Friday, December 11th – 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 12th – 3:00 pm
Sunday, December 13th – 3:00 pm

Set in pre-revolutionary Russia, “Fiddler on the Roof”
tells the story of Tevye, a milkman who struggles to
raise his daughters in a world that is quickly
changing around his traditional Jewish community.

Tickets $6

* * *

And make your plans for next weekend:

Ring in The Holidays at The Senator
&
Benefit a Valuable Community Resource!

Friends of The Senator
present:

Our 19th Annual Food Drive to benefit
The GEDCO CARES Food Pantry

Featuring Two Beloved Holiday Classics

Frank Capra’s Heart-Warming 1946 Masterpiece

“It’s a Wonderful Life”

(1946 – 130min)

Starring:
James Stewart, Donna Reed,
Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell,
Henry Travers & Beulah Bondi

Friday, December 18th – 8:00 pm

Saturday, December 19th
3:15 & 8:00 pm

Sunday, December 20th
3:15 pm & 8:00 pm

Christmas Day, December 25th
3:15 pm & 8:00 pm

An angel helps a compassionate but despairing,
frustrated businessman by showing what life would
have been like if he never existed.

&

The 1951 Classic

“A Christmas Carol”

(90min)

Starring:
Alastair Sim
&
Kathleen Harrison, Mervyn Johns, Hermione Baddeley,
Frances De Wolff & Michael Hordern

Friday, December 18th – 6:00 pm

Saturday, December 19th
1:15 pm & 6:00 pm

Sunday, December 20th
1:15 pm & 6:00 pm

Christmas Day, December 25th
1:15 pm & 6:00 pm

Admission to the double-feature is
$6 worth of non-perishable food items
and/or
$6 at the box-office.

* * *

See senator.com
for even more film & music events like

Saturday, December 12
Senator Sessions Xmas Party Concert

Friends of The Senator
and Eat Your Neighbors
present:

Bands on the Main Stage:

Better Without You

&

The Mishaps

&

The Expotentials

&

The Mayan Factor

&

Morella

Eat Your Neighbors

And
In the Outer Lobby:

Dukes of Jazz

(7 pm – 8 pm)

DJ Jeff Hurn

And
Featuring the World Premiere of

An Eat Your Neighbors

Christmas Story

A 20 minute film inspired by actual events

Click here to watch the trailer for the film.

Doors 7:00 pm

Tickets $15 at the door

Patrons must be 21 years of age or older to purchase
alcoholic beverages.The Senator seats 900 and ample tickets will
be available at showtime.

SENATOR Theatre: Red Carpet Premiere of SAFEHOUSE Tonight!

Friends of The Senator Present:

Come Join Us Friday, December 4th
for a red carpet premiere evening!

Baltimore native Johnny Alonso’s action packed movie
SAFEHOUSE makes its Baltimore Premiere!
Watch the video promo here!

Tread the Red Carpet with Baltimore’s famous faces,
Johnny Alonso (Dawson’s Creek, One Tree Hill),
Jonathan Ruckman (The Wire), Sheila Cutchlow (The Wire),
MMA Fighter/Stuntman Orlando Gonzales (Smalltimore)
and many many more local actor faves.

The show’s co-stars include Thomas Calabro (Melrose
Place) and Robert Miano (Donnie Brasco, Sopranos).

Actors, Actresses, and Models: bring your resumes
and headshots! Local Directors, Producers, casting
Directors galore will be in attendance.

Please dress to impress for this Glam Event!

Reception 7:00 pm
Screening 8:00 pm

Movie Admission $10

Stay over for the After Party!

Movie and Party Admission $20

Click here for additional information
and VIP price levels.

SENATOR Theatre: WTMD / TU Proposal Best Fit?

Dear Friends,

As you probably know by now the Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) has received proposals from four organizations that desire to be the next occupant of The SENATOR. While we have yet had an opportunity to review the details of the proposal (waiting on the BDC to release them), the descriptions of that submitted by Towson University’s publicly supported radio station, WTMD, appear to echo many of the main points we’ve been advocating for The Senator:

• Use of the theatre as a multipurpose venue
• Let’s face it, folks. A single screen theatre in this day/age just can’t cut it as a first run movie house. We all have fond memories of seeing new feature films at The Senator, but the modern day financial and contractual realities have shown this model to be no longer feasible.
  That said, film and perhaps even a premiere or more are still in the cards down the road, but to make the most use of our beloved landmark theatre other programming must (and should be) included.
• Community events
  These have been an integral part of The Senator’s history, although in the past they’ve been limited by the restrictive rules associated with being a first run movie house. Now that those bonds have been cut we have seen and hope to see many, many more!
  Note: stay tuned for announcement of the 19th Annual Holiday Double Feature & Food Drive!

As for the other proposals, see our “Senator Theatre RFP Proposals Info” page for highlights drawn from media accounts.

The bottom line, as we currently see it, is that the WTMD/T.U. proposal is the only one that is a viable contender against the Cusack’s. Their plan proposes to alter the existing auditorium and includes addition of two eateries flanking the theatre which could potentially have a negative impact on existing local businesses. Theatre patrons would be encouraged to stay on the property rather than explore neighborhood businesses. This should be food for thought for the local business owners and the Govanstowne Business Association (GBA).

Now, we would like to know what you think!

Tom Harris, FoTS Ambassador

SENATOR Theatre RFP: Balto Sun Requests Opinions for Tomorrow’s Editorials

That’s right, this is your chance to weigh in on the BDC’s RFP Proposals and possibly see it in print!

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/2009/11/tomorrows_editorials_the_senat.html

We recommend you read our RFP Proposals Info Page first.

And please, folks, keep it civil!
The Sun has approval over the web comments. Comments that are accepted may be put in print (without your email address). Read their Terms of Service as well.

Our stand?
Without reading the actual proposals submitted to the BDC we’re left with what we’ve read (again compiled here). Based on that limited information:

• It appears that the WTMD/Towson University plan comes closest to the community-based multipurpose arts, entertainment & educational vision we’ve advocated from the start.
• We cannot support a plan in which the historic theatre’s auditorium is altered, such as the Cusack’s plan suggests.
• We do not believe that the addition of 24 apartments to the rear of the theatre, by JR Owens,  will fix the current financial realities associated with first run films in a single screen environment.
• While we applaud the educational and all-inclusive aspects of the PUPKIDS proposal, it appears to be one based on renting, not buying The Senator. This suggests that Baltimore City is expected to pay for the repairs and restoration of the theatre. Something to which, we believe, the city will not agree to do.

Whatever your opinion, make it known!

As the city is now considered the current owner The Senator is now truly The People’s Theatre. Therefore, Baltimore citizens especially have a right to have their thoughts on the future of our historic landmark theatre be heard.

friendsofthesenator@live.com

http://friendsofthesenatortheatre.org

http://facebook.com/FoTStheatre

http://twitter.com/FoTStheatre

SENATOR Theatre RFP: Cusack Plan Would Alter Auditorium?

For your consideration: The following information from yesterday’s MD Daily Record article.

The owners of the five-screen Charles Theatre would keep the Senator a movie theater… and potentially add a smaller auditorium.

“When you have another screen, you have more flexibility,” Kathleen Cusack said. “If you have a second screen and you have a movie that isn’t making a lot of money, you can move it there and put something else on the main screen.”

If the Cusacks add a 120-seat theater to the Senator, the main auditorium would shrink from 940 seats to 760. Cusack said the smaller theater could be used as an arts education area.

It was our understanding that the interior spaces, including The Senator auditorium, were now under the ‘protection’ of Baltimore City’s Commisson for Historical & Architectural Preservation (CHAP) Landmark and Special Designation Lists.

So, we have to wonder how could the BDC reconcile James “Buzz” Cusack’s plan with CHAP’s intent to protect the interior beyond “normal maintenance”?

For that matter, given Mr. Cusack himself is a CHAP member, why would he even suggest such a move?

From a historical standpoint (one which we share), subdividing the auditorium is unthinkable and therefore a plan we could not support.

Senator Theatre RFP: 4 Proposals Revealed by BDC

UPDATE: See our new The Senator Theatre RFP Proposals Info Page for updated details on each proposal, collected from various news media.

The Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) revealed the four contenders for ownership of The Senator and their planned uses today:

• The Lofts at The Senator Theatre - JR Owens Corporation (JR Owens)
  A mixed-use development that includes the renovation of the existing movie theatre along with new construction of 24 two bedroom/two bath rental apartments on three floors, 27 secure parking spaces in the basement of the new construction and existing retail space.
• The Senator Theatre, LLC – James “Buzz” Cusack, Jr. and Kathleen C. Cusack (owners of The Charles Theatre)
  proposes to maintain the building as a single screen movie theatre, restaurant &
  crepe shop with alternates
  1) that would provide for a second screen & an arts education area in the approximate 2,000 square foot triangle to the south of the theatre, &
  2) a sliding glass door system in the front of the restaurant.
• The Theatre Project PUPKIDS, Inc. – Noch-Noch, Productions (Enoch Cook III)
  The proposal suggests the mixture of live performances & cinemaplex attractions simulating a staged Vaudeville Revue to attract interest in puppetry & puppeteers.
• WTMD… At The Senator – Senator Theatre Redevelopment, LLC (Towson University, Robert L. Caret, President)
  WTMD-FM, Towson University’s public radio station proposes to relocate to the Senator Theatre through a historically sensitive renovation of the interior, a new addition to the south side of the building as well as an expansion of existing space on the north side of the theatre. The Senator will be home to WTMD’s daily operations, as well as a schedule of films, educational activities, concerts and community events designed to reach people from all over the region. The station will connect and promote the events taking place in the theatre.

Apparently the previous information that David Cordish has submitted a proposal was erroneous. Our apologies for whatever confusion they may have caused.

SENATOR Theatre RFP: 4 Seek Winning Bid

Updated Nov. 23, 2009

The BDC’s Request For Proposals (RFP) closed yesterday at noon.

According an article by Michael Sragow and Chris Kaltenbach of The Baltimore Sun, here are the known contenders:

• James “Buzz” Cusack of The Charles Theatre and recently renominated member of the city’s CHAP
• Towson University’s WTMD radio station
• Developer  David Cordish (most recently in the news for seeking to place a slots casino at Arundel Mills) Information that David Cordish had submitted a proposal was incorrect. Please see the November 23 blog entry for the official participants list. Our apologies for whatever confusion this may have caused.
  

The fourth party is not yet public, but is expected to be revealed Monday.

Particular points of interest to us in this article:

Kim Clark, executive vice president of the BDC, said Friday that there would be a public presentation of the proposals…
“The worst case would be if the public falls in love with one of them, and that one is not financially viable,” she said. “In my mind, that would be horrible.”

. . .

Cordish, who has repeatedly said he “would run the theater as a public service or a trust,” confirmed that he filed a proposal, but did not provide any details.

Last we heard, publicly, from the Cordish group they stated they would only step into the BDC process “if the city is stuck“. Everyone is entitled to change their mind, of course, but the fact that no details are offered causes nearly as much concern as the secrecy of the fourth proposal submission. We will be very interested to see what the Cordish Company has in mind!
. . .

Cusack… would keep the Senator as a single-screen movie theater. But he would also add a restaurant on its north side… and a crepes shop on its south side.

“I’m also talking to a children’s-services provider… about using the auditorium for children’s activities from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., when the theater is closed.” According to Cusack, a triangular area in the southern part of the property contains enough space for another screen… operating it would require a partner who would use that space for other purposes, such as art education.

While the thought of keeping The Senator a single screen movie house sounds wonderful, it’s been shown time and again that the model doesn’t hold up in this day and age… Can a private owner keep it going by renting the spaces out to restaurateurs and educational programs?

Stay tuned & as always, feel free to chime in here and/or on Facebook!

Senator Theatre RFP: Proposals Due Before Noon Tomorrow!

Senator Theatre RFP cover sheet

The Baltimore Development Corporation’s window for RFP proposal submissions closes at noon on Friday, November 20, 2009!

Proposals must have theirs in the hands of the BDC by noon!
Not postmarked, but literally, physically at the BDC offices in order to be considered in the evaluation process.

Community groups located in and around The Senator have been promised a voice in this process and now that Baltimore City owns the theatre, every citizen of the city has a right to voice their opinion about what should happen to our internationally recognized, last historic single screen theatre in the city.

Let officials (both community association AND those elected to public office) know what you think should happen to the iconic art deco theatre, that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, in her 70th year of operation.

Should it be handed over to commercial developers? To a new owner who plans to continue the same business model that eventually led to her foreclosure? Or, should there be consideration for a community-owned non-profit model that could include arts, education & entertainment that would aid community businesses and neighborhoods like many others have done across the U.S.? It’s your chance to chime in on the future of The People’s Theatre – don’t miss out!

BDC Press Release: 09.21.09 – BDC Issues RFP For Senator Theatre

American Ca$ino begins with special screening tonight @ The SENATOR Theatre

Join us Thursday, November 12th at 7:30pm
for a premiere screening to benefit:

The Community Law Center

~ Official Selection ~
Tribeca Film Festival

When you are in Wall Street’s casino,
you play by their rules.

A Leslie Cockburn Film

American Ca$ino

“You’ll never hear an economist explain
derivatives again without thinking of
the woman who walks away from
the camera, weeping, or children’s dolls
splayed out on the floors of
empty homes.”
David Edelstein – The New Yorker

“The lesson of this story: if enough money
is involved, greed trumps morality.”
Stephen Holden – New York Times

This compelling documentary, filmed in Baltimore,
examines how the Wall Street meltdown has
affected the working class.

Admission is $10
(cash only)

Click here for the official movie website

Click here for a New York Times movie review

A panel discussion follows the
feature presentation, with panelists

Robert J. Strupp
Director of Research and Policy
Community Law Center

Anne Balcer Norton, Esq.
Director, Foreclosure Prevention
St. Ambrose Housing Aid Center

Elizabeth Jacobson
former Wells Fargo top producer
of subprime mortgage loans

You must be 21 years of age or older
to purchase alcoholic beverages.
The Senator seats 900 and ample tickets
will be available at showtime.

“American Ca$ino” begins its regular run at The Senator
on Friday, November 13th, for one week only!

Regular Showtimes:

Friday, November 13th & Saturday, November 14th
6 pm, 7:45 pm, 9:30 pm

Sunday, November 15th
2:30 pm, 4:15 pm

Monday, November 16th
6 pm, 7:45 pm

Tuesday, November 17th
6 pm only

Wednesday, November 18th & Thursday, November 19th
6 pm, 7:45 pm

Friday, November 20th
6 pm, 7:45 pm