Carolina Theatre Charlotte

Here's an interesting photo:

Carolina Theatre Neon by Greg Mimbs Carolina Theatre Neon Photograph by Greg Mimbs

Here's a timely article by Ely Portillo with thoughts that all of us Carolina Theatre fans have been thinking. http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/biz-columns-blogs/development/article117793683.html

What’s the status the planned hotel tower atop the Carolina Theatre uptown? When the Foundation for the Carolinas announced plans in December 2015 to build a 20-story hotel atop the defunct Carolina Theatre uptown, they planned to start construction in mid-2016.

Here's an update on what the Foundation plans to do with our beloved Carolina Theatre. It's a good report from our friends at WJZY but the story is sad.

Construction on Carolina Theatre at Belk Place to begin this summer The Carolina Theatre at Belk Place has been vacant since 1972. The Foundation for the Carolinas has a plan to put the Uptown building back in business.

If you are familiar with Omeka and are willing to help with website construction, let me hear from you. There is action, but all work and all costs are born by me and John Apple ... an no one else. So, the progress is s ... l ... o ... w. :) I hope it will be worth it!

Just added http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/inside-county-government/article28399774.html to the archive. These folks have not been at this for as long as we and Michael Marsicano. Do they really think a luxury hotel on top of the theatre is a better idea than high-price condos? Good job, Jon McFadden.

Foundation: $3.8 million still needed for Carolina Theatre makeover Now that the Foundation for the Carolinas has $4.2 million of public money to aid in its renovation of the historic Carolina Theatre, the philanthropic group has one thing left to do:

Just added http://www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainment/arts-culture/article19214481.html to the archive. Anybody ever heard of Gensler? Any past experience? (Still looking for website help BTW.)

Carolina Theatre project progresses Foundation For The Carolinas has announced Gensler will be associate architect for the renovation of the Carolina Theatre at Belk Place.

Maybe I'm missing the attention grabber. For years, I've scoffed at those who talk about the Carolina Theatre in glowing terms that "Elvis Played Here." Who cares, thought I, since many more before he played here in 1955 graced the Vaudeville stage of the Carolina? But, to quote Ronald Reagan, here we go again! The City Council wants to spend nearly $1 million to replace the seats in the Coliseum and is using as rationale that Elvis played there and that you indeed might own a seat. The Charlotte Coliseum is worthy of architectural respect and preservation, and surely mention of Elvis is ancillary at best.

Will nostalgia buffs be able to claim old Coliseum seats? The Charlotte City Council voted Monday to spend $975,000 to replace the original seats at Bojangles’ Coliseum, the 1955 building that has hosted Elvis, The Rolling Stones and ACC basketball tournaments. The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, which manages the building, said it’s trying to find…

The recent episode of TRAIL OF HISTORY is about theatres. Our own John Apple was included as were many of the photos from my archive of the theatre. Trail of History is produced by CPCC and WTVI. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6npk7yPEh8

Trail of History - Old movie and drive in theaters Old movie and drive in theaters

So far, I have had the best cooperation from the University of North Carolina -- which is not the NC Library at Raleigh. Stay tuned for a stunning website. If you want to help, send me an email with your phone number. (You need to be IN CHARLOTTE.)