Restoring a Cultural Gem

Recently, I was sent an article titled: "Energizing the Emery Theatre", which discussed the historic Emery Theatre and attempts to revitalize it. The theatre sits at the corner of Walnut and Central Parkway in Over the Rhine, where the Coffee Emporium is also located. This article piqued my interest because I have eaten lunch at Coffee Emporium many times and had absolutely no idea that such an amazing space was literally feet away from me.

Emery Theatre was built in 1911 for the purpose of housing the Cincinnati Orchestra. As you can guess by the name, it was funded by Mary Emery, who also funded many buildings at CCM and in the village of Mariemont (which she actually developed and built as one of the first "planned" villages). The theater once hosted big names like John Phillip Sousa and George Gershwin, but it has now fallen silent, having not been fully operational in over a decade. This is a terrible waste, as the theater is both beautiful and acoustically terrific, once taughted as having acoustics that were only bested by Carnegie Hall.

The current attempt to revive this cultural gem is being taken on by the Emery Center Corporation (ECC) and the Requiem Project. Stage 1 of the renovations are estimated to cost at least $3.5 million, with work including fixing up the seating, stage, and electricity. Final plans for the building envision a gallery, a sculpture garden, classrooms, artist studios, and perhaps rooftop rehearsal space for the Cincinnati Ballet, who once rehearsed in part of the building. One of their methods of generating revenue for the renovations is quite unique - they manage the apartments in the building and plan to use those profits to fund part of the renovations of the theater. The ECC plans to raise money through "diverse income streams", not relying solely on individual donations.

Another source of income that ECC is hoping to develop is the City of Cincinnati. They have already engaged Laure Quinlivan, chair of the City Council's Quality of Life Commitee. Councilwoman Quinlivan hopes to see the theater restored, but is warning that the city no longer has money set aside for capital arts grants as they once did.

I think that it is imperative for the City of Cincinnati to get involved in the project and support the restoration of such a wonderful landmark. Hopefully, organizations like 3CDC and ArtsWave will also be able to provide both funding and guidance through the capital campaign for this project. This theater would be a great community space for Over the Rhine, like a multidisciplinary community art center for the City. Opening a space like the Emery Theatre would continue the revitalization of Over the Rhine as a mecca for arts experiences in Cincinnati.