Gary’s Palace Theatre facing possible redevelopment
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The famed Palace Theatre in Gary, which has stood vacant for more than 50 years, could potentially be torn down.
Our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana report the Gary Redevelopment Commission has voted to enter contract negotiations with a developer that aims to redevelop the property.
The 3,000-seat theatre at 791 Broadway was designed by architect John Eberson and opened in 1925. It closed in 1972 and has been mostly vacant since then.
Erika Blackwell, chief communications officer for the city of Gary, told The Times that due to neglect over the last five decades, the venue’s appraisal value is only $1,000.
“Redeveloping this landmark will be an exciting step towards transforming our Broadway corridor into a walkable, livable destination for residents and visitors alike,” she said.
Blackwell said the city issued a Request for Proposals for potential redevelopment, and Indianapolis-based developer BWI LLC was selected for its proposal, which included the construction of residential housing units on the site.
She said part of the building may be repurposed, but the movie theater may be demolished.
“The city of Gary is committed to ensuring that this project is crafted thoughtfully and implemented with respect for the community’s needs,” Blackwell told the publication. “Moving forward, we will be collaborating closely with the Redevelopment Commission as it completes its final vetting of the developer’s plans and makes it’s final decision on the sale.”
You can learn more about the history of the Palace Theatre from Joseph S. Pete at The Times of Northwest Indiana by clicking here.