North Philadelphia's Uptown Theater To Be Renovated In Two Phases
By Jericka Duncan
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- There's a sound coming from the Uptown Theatre that's bringing back memories of the greats who once performed there.
"The Supremes, Ray Charles, Georgie Woods, of course," said Eugene Sayles, who also said he used sneak into the theater as a teen.
Once the theater's glory days during the 60s and 70s came to an end, Uptown was on a downward spiral. There were several owners who turned various floors into clubs. But after more than 20 years of promises to save this North Philadelphia treasure, comes a beacon of light.
"We are renovating this [theater] and putting in historic windows," said Linda Richardson.
Richardson is the president and CEO of the Uptown Development Corporation. It's the non-profit 501-C3 that owns the building and is responsible for refurbishing the historic site.
"We're renovating six stories that, when completed, will house our youth and community programs and education projects," said Richardson.
It will also be leasing office space once this first phase is complete this spring. After that, the second phase is to restore the theater.
"Over the years, you hear how they're going to renovate the Uptown," said Sayles. "Hopefully, this time they're really going to do it. It's an institution, you can see, it's a beautiful building."
It will take about $5 million to fix the actual theater. The first phase costs $3 million, and that money came from donations and city and federal grants.
On Wednesday night, Uptown Entertainment and Development Corporation will host the Second Annual Philly Music Appreciation Celebration at Conversation Hall, located in Room 201 of City Hall. The event, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., is free and open to the public.
The names of the organization's 2012 Black Music Month honorees will be announced with the official celebration happening at the Ethical Society on June 21, 2012. For more information go to www.philadelphiauptowntheatre.org.
