Worried neighbors were thrilled Tuesday with a unanimous vote by the Dallas Landmark Commission to initiate historic preservation status for the 77-year-old Lakewood Theater.
Neighbors lined up to speak to the commission in support of the designation that would forbid building demolition and restrict renovation options.
"This is not a punishment, it is an opportunity," said former Dallas City Council Member Viletta Lill. "And the outcome can only make Dallas better. Don't make us imagine our community without this place."
Actor Burton Gilliam, who appeared in the movie Blazing Saddles, said he grew up in Dallas, watching movies at the Lakewood Theater.
@1500Marilla Landmark Commission unanimously initiates historic designation process for Lakewood Theater @NBCDFW pic.twitter.com/pWZHMQ3vFh
— Ken Kalthoff (@KenKalthoffNBC5) September 8, 2015"Movie theaters have gone by the wayside. They've been taken out. They're totally gone. I don't want to see that happen to the Lakewood Theater," he said.
Neighbors grew alarmed in recent weeks as construction debris outside the theater made it appear as if demolition was underway. Theater seats were found in a dumpster. Then, more than 6,000 people signed an online "Save The Lakewood" petition.
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"This item ended up on our agenda today in response to the overwhelming support for the Lakewood Theater," Commission Chairwoman Katherine Seale said.
But theater co-owner Craig Kinney stepped up to speak at the meeting and said he agrees the building deserves landmark designation.
"We understand the Lakewood neighborhood has a love affair with the Lakewood Theater and we share it," he said.
Kinney said he did not seek landmark designation out of fear it would cause extreme delays and unnecessary red tape for the repair and renovation the building needs.
"Now why would it possibly take two years to designate this beautiful building? Surely it can be done in six months. So we all know the truth here. The truth is the Lakewood Theater is a Dallas landmark. It has been for decades," Kinney said.
Landmark commission members promised that city staff would help Kinney navigate the process and comply with the rules.
"This could be an advantageous process for you as well, not only from a community support aspect, but also potential tax credits," said Commission Member Stephen Birch.
The ultimate use of the building remains unclear. Kinney said a seven-month search for a new theater operator has been unsuccessful and plan B is dividing the space for restaurants.
"If we do plan B, dividing it up into smaller spaces, it's not going to be substantially as it was before, but we're going to save the landmark portions of it, that's the concept," Kinney said. "We're going to work with a preservation architect and Preservation Dallas and get together with the community and discuss all those issues and come up with something that works for everybody."
