Update: West Newton Cinema Foundatiowill host an in-person Community Information Meeting on Tuesday, April 11, 7PM-8:30PM at the Cinema (1296 Washington Street, West Newton). It’s open to the public. Register here.
West Newton residents recently learned that Mark Development has applied for a demolition permit for the West Newton Cinema property. Last summer, West Newton Cinema owner David Bramante announced that the Cinema had reached an agreement to sell the property to Mark Development but that they would continue to operate the West Newton Cinema for the next 18 months to 2 years and “identify options for transitioning leadership and operation of the cinema to another entity.” Mark Development agreed to lease back the property to the Cinema during this time and allow the Cinema the ability to repurchase the property at the same sale price by the end of the lease period.
Last month, the West Newton Cinema Foundation was formed. According to its website, the founders hope to update the theater while maintaining its unique character, making it accessible, and creating gathering areas that would serve as a community and reception space. They hope that “with the right model of programming and support, it could easily become a cultural destination for all of Newton, the surrounding towns, and the Boston/Cambridge arts community. Additionally, it would revitalize the immediate West Newton neighborhood, serving as an anchor that would attract people to nearby restaurants and shops.”
In order to make this happen, the foundation has set these fundraising goals:
- May 1, 2023: $1 million — Initial Funding for Community Proof of Concept and Support
- August 31, 2023: $3 million — Lease transfer from Star Theaters (current tenant) to The West Newton Cinema Foundation
- December 31, 2023: $8 million — Purchase the building ($5.6 million) and inititiate restoration and renovation
- August 31, 2024: $9.9 million — Complete capital campaign and begin second phase of restoration and renovation
According to a statement from Mark Development, the company fully supports “West Newton Cinema’s efforts to convert to a non-profit and establish a Foundation to raise the funds necessary to own and operate the Cinema as a non-profit. We are optimistic that they will be successful in this endeavor.”
With regard to the demolition application, Mark Development added: “From the outset, we and the West Newton Cinema leadership have agreed on a timeline for fundraising and re-purchase of the Cinema property – that period concludes in 2024. Should the Foundation not be able to repurchase the property at that time, we do expect that the property will ultimately be included in future development plans.”
Mark Development continued, “For practical reasons, we are moving forward with a demolition application for the property. The timeline for permit approval is lengthy and, should the Foundation not be successful in raising the required funds, we would like the flexibility to incorporate the parcel into future development plans. This is in no way intended to indicate a lack of confidence in the fundraising effort and we will meet all of our obligations in terms of timeline.”
The Foundation is accepting donations here.
