ROYAL OAK (WWJ) – Efforts are ramping up to save the historic Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak from demolition.
Potential plans call for razing the building and replacing it with a five-story mixed-use building that would feature condos, offices and retail space. A proposal is set to go in front of the Royal Oak Planning Commission on Tuesday.
But a group of roughly 100 people gathered Saturday in front of the theatre on Main Street to show their opposition to those plans.
Congressman Andy Levin was among those braving the cold, in hopes of raising enough support to halt the demolition of the building, which has stood for more than eight decades.
Despite chilly temps on Saturday, energy at the rally was high, thanks to the Detroit Party Marching Band and a group of supporters armed with signs reading the likes of “Let the Main remain.”
The theatre - which had long been a fan favorite as a “boutique” type movie house showing independent and cult films – closed last summer and the marquee read “Landlord kicked us out. It’s been a fun ride.”
A group called Friends of the Main Art was formed back in June, and they say they want to take the building over and run it through a community-based non-profit organization.
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