The Senator Situation: What’s Going On?

~ = @ [ ALERTS ] @ = ~

BDC Advisory Panel Requires Additional Meeting
Jan. 5th Public Meeting Results
The Senator Theatre RFP Proposals Info Page
BDC asks Kiefaber to keep Senator open with events

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Here we will attempt to keep a briefing of the current situation regarding our beloved, last remaining historic single-screen movie house in Baltimore, Maryland.

What the community & supporters would like to see happen?
The SENATOR should become the premiere non-profit multipurpose arts, education & entertainment venue in the area!

Now, then as we understand it, here is the The SENATOR situation
(as simplified as possible without losing key elements):

1. Baltimore City has purchased the mortgage note from First Mariner Bank, following the recommendation from the city’s Strategy Group
   • This was NOT a bailout for the owner! It was a takeover.
   • The city held their own public foreclosure auction.
     Alex Cooper Auctioneers, Inc. oversaw the auction on Wednesday, July 22 at 11AM at The SENATOR Theatre.
     A bid of $800,000 was made by proxy and after about a 10-minute conference among city officials, it was announced the city had entered its bid of $810,000 to retain the theater. - MD Daily Record
     No higher bids were offered.
     
   • City court has ratified the city’s winning bid, so Baltimore City now officially owns The SENATOR – Congratulations citizens of Baltimore!
     
     
2. Contrary to what you may read, hear or see, the theatre IS OPEN!
   Programming continues as does a movie memorabilia sale .
   Sign up for their email newsletter for programming notices!
   While the RFP process continues, the city has asked the former owner to continue to present programs as his family has done at the theatre for 70 years. Friends of The Senator applauds his continued efforts to show, by example, the sort of multipurpose programming that should be a part of the community-based, non-profit vision.
   The theatre is currently staffed by an all volunteer crew, some are FoTS members and others are long-time employees who have decided to remain at their posts, for love of the theatre, even though there is no payroll!
3. The Baltimore Development Corporation has issued a Request For Proposals (RFP) on behalf of the city. A pre-proposal conference was held on the 70th anniversary of the theatre’s opening. More than a dozen organizations were represented & more could be participating (since attendance was not mandatory for interested parties). Closing date for proposals was November 20 @ noon.
   Four groups submitted proposals that will be evaluated by the BDC.
   JR Owens, James “Buzz” Cusack & Kathleen Cusack, Noch-Noch Productions and WTMD/Towson University (which FoTS is supporting).
   Community, government & FoTS have a representative on the BDC Advisory Panel.
   This panel will evaluate the 4 proposals and make a recommendation to the BDC. The BDC will then review the recommendation & decide if they agree or choose their own to then send to the mayor’s office for final approval. The panel met for the first time on Jan. 6th, but did not reach a decision, so another meeting will be scheduled.
   
4. The Senator Community Trust (SCT) formed & applied for non-profit status.

Bottom line?

THE SENATOR THEATRE IS STILL IN JEOPARDY!

If you or someone you know has connections
to persons or groups interested in investing in the future
of this historic community treasure,
please have them contact
The SENATOR management: info@senator.com!

The community and other supporters
are willing to help in the transition & renovations,
but we need your help to move this vision forward.