Dallas film actor Burton Gilliam will appear Tuesday with neighbors fighting to protect the Lakewood Theater.
“I love that area and the Lakewood Theater has been part of my life,” Gilliam said. “I used to get on my bicycle, ride my bicycle across town about three miles to go to the theater there.”
The current owners are removing asbestos from the structure and they’ve said they intend to divide the space into several stores. Theater seats were recently photographed in a dumpster there.
Neighbors want Landmark historic preservation designation for the 77 year old movie house to keep owners from substantially altering the structure. The Dallas Landmark Commission Tuesday will consider authorizing landmark status, which is the first step in a long process that ultimately could be decided by the Dallas City Council.
Neighbors outside the theater Monday said they would be disappointed if The Landmark Commission declines to take the initial action.
“It’s absolutely a landmark,” said neighbor Steve Anderson. “We’ve lived in Dallas 42 years now and this has been a part of our history ever since.”
“There’s a character down here. We’d like to see it preserved,” said his wife, Brandi Anderson.
Burton Gilliam grew up in East Dallas before his years in Hollywood. He’s known for roles in Blazing Saddles and other films.
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Living back in North Texas for 19 years now, Gilliam said he wants to see the important part of his childhood preserved.
“I’d like for it to remain what it is,” Gilliam said. “The word on the streets has been, they’re just taking some stuff out, getting ready for refurbishing. But we don’t know that.”
The Dallas Landmark Commission meets at Dallas City Hall Tuesday at 1 p.m.
