[Wheeling] Capitol Music Hall Closed

[seicer]

Capitol Closed

Notes --

1. The Capitol Music Hall opened in 1928 was closed Tuesday. It is for sale for $850,000. The reason behind the sudden closure was due to 23 fire code violations.

2. Operations and events at the Capitol were scaled back over the past year. The fire department gave detailed information on how to take care of the fire code violations while keeping the music hall open -- but the owners did not conduct any of it.

3. Clear Channel Radio, which has six radio stations inside the Capitol, will continue to operate out of the building.

Clear Channel Radio Wheeling issued a news release Tuesday stating the six radio stations housed inside the Capitol will continue to operate from offices inside the music hall.

Article information: "Capitol Closed, By TIMOTHY H. TAYLOR, Wheeling News-Register, 5/2/2007"

[seicer]

Capitol Receives A Temporary Reprieve

Notes --

1. The Capitol Music Hall will remain open for another 30 days. The city and other organizations are trying to gather money to purchase the building -- listed for $850,000. No offers have been made yet.

2. It will cost approximately $3 million to repair the hall. A plan is being formulated for the repairs.

3. The Wheeling Symphony will have its upcoming performance at the hall, but another act has already committed to moving the show to Pittsburgh.

Article information: "Capitol Receives A Temporary Reprieve, By SHELLEY HANSON, 5/3/2007, Wheeling News-Register"

[seicer]

WNHAC Blames Fire Code Article

Notes --

1. Wheeling Councilman Barry Crow believes that Wheeling is close to taking the first step in purchasing Capitol Music Hall from Live Nation. Live Nation closed the theater earlier in May; Wheeling Fire Chief stated that the Capitol has had numerous violations over the past 40 years. Such violations include needed upgrades to the alarm system and sprinklers.

2. The Executive director of the Wheeling National Heritage Area Corp stated in a report that "The Intelligencer that outlined 23 fire code violations at the Capitol and not the fire code violations themselves, was possibly a reason for the historic structure

[seicer]

Charitable Group Looks at Capitol (w/ photograph)

Notes --

1. Diamond Entertainment and Production Co. Inc., a charitable organization based out of East Liverpool, Ohio, is interested in purchasing the Capitol Music Hall. However, the city is possibly "close" to taking its first step in purchasing the theater. The city, though, would need to keep the Capitol closed while renovations and repairs are done. If the city purchased the Capitol, it would not operate the facility in its current condition.

2. Diamond is not yet sure if they can afford the $850,000 price tag and renovation and repair costs.

3. The city gave Live Nation, the current owner, "every opportunity" to complete the repairs -- although they did not seem to want to put any money into it.

4. It will cost anywhere from $3 to $5 million to renovate and bring the building into code.

Article information: "Charitable Group Looks at Capitol, By CASEY JUNKINS, Wheeling News-Register, 6/7/7"

[seicer]

Capitol Is Still On The Market

By CASEY JUNKINS, Wheeling News-Register, June 16, 2007

A third potential buyer is now looking at the Capitol Music Hall in Wheeling, while the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra is looking at three potential new homes. The symphony moved its season finale out of the Capitol after 23 fire code violations discovered in May. They do not plan on any future performances at the theater while Live Nation owns it. The three potential buyers include the city of Wheeling, Diamond Entertainment and Production Co. Inc. (E. Liverpool, Ohio), and an unnamed party. The three potential locations for the orchestra includes St. Joseph's Cathedral, where the season's finale was held, an unspecified local church, and the John Marshall High School Center for Performing Arts.

[seicer]

City Backs Off On Capitol Buy

By Casey Junkins, The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register, August 1, 2007

The city of Wheeling originally made an offer to buy the Capitol theater, but backed off when the city learned that two private groups were interested in purchasing it (see later article). Wheeling officials are working with potential groups and are willing to work with them, because of the connecting effect that entertainment is one of the keys to downtown revitalization. The goal of the effort by the city is not to compete with private enterprises; if a private group has interest in the Capitol, then the city will utilize its resources elsewhere.

the city previously made an offer to purchase the Capitol, but it was refused. The asking price is $850,000, not including repairs or renovations. One councilman stated that the city should consider donating the hall to a local community arts organization because there would be no profit made from the Capitol.

The estimated cost to renovate the building and bring it into compliance with city fire codes is between $3 and $5 million.

[seicer]

Dentist Says He's Made Capitol Deal

By Casey Junkins, The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register, August 1, 2007

Dr. Manny Velez, a dentist who has lived in the Wheeling area for 35 years, purchase the Capitol theater with two other local partners. The other partners include Theresa and Jim Childers of Bellair who operate Centre Cup Coffee in Centre Market. The purchase price was less than the $850,000 asking price.

The deal should be closed in September, and the theater could be operational by October. Entertainment that could be included in the future include "'70s and '80s artists, along with local artists and events."

[tombarnes]

That's certainly good news. Please keep us updated on this project.