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Paramount Theater Redux

by Bill Dusty

Springfield’s downtown district has been the backdrop for some pretty depressing news in the past couple of years – from gun fights and murders to restaurant closures, just about all of the media of late has been bad.

But every so often, something good pops up on the news radar. Last month, it was word that Hot Table, a Breckwood Avenue soup and sandwich shop, was opening up a second restaurant at Tower Square. The ground-floor space that the shop would call home had been vacant ever since a Rein’s Deli outlet made a go of it there and failed after a mere three months, back in February of 2008. And now again this month, downtown supporters were treated to yet more good news as the owners of the former Hippodrome announced that the old Paramount Theater would be returning after a ten year hiatus.

The building and parking space that house the Paramount had been purchased back in 1999, and are currently under the ownership of Paramount Realty Investment LLC, and Gridiron Parking LLC, respectively. Soon after acquiring the building, renovations began which eventually led to the December, 2000 opening of The Hippodrome.

But there would be no smooth ride for the Hippodrome. By the end 2007, the building’s owners could not afford to install an automatic sprinkler system that was required under the state’s new, stricter fire code that was enacted in the fall of 2004. (Two other Springfield businesses, Shakago’s and Family Kitchen, were also non-compliant at the time, according to a November, 2007 Republican article. Additionally, a number of establishments throughout the state had filed appeals for exemptions.) Hippodrome co-owner Michael J. Barrasso said at the time that the sprinkler system installation would cost $275,000, according to the Republican story. As a result of the sprinkler system issue, the owners were compelled to surrender the Hippodrome’s liquor license, and the establishment has remained closed ever since. In the meantime, the business wracked up close to $160,000 in tax debt to the city, and officials had threatened to commence foreclosure proceedings this September to take possession of the property.

It was another dark chapter for the struggling downtown entertainment district.

But then came the announcement last week by Hippodrome co-owners Barrasso and Steven C. Klein. In their news release and subsequent on-site press conference held on August 20, the two owners announced the closing of a $2 million loan that will effectively pay off all of their business’s tax debt while also paying for the installation of the state-required automatic sprinkler system. Additionally, the news release reported Barrasso and Klein will have money left over to buy out their other business partners, thus becoming the “sole owners of the Paramount building and the adjacent 30,000 square-foot parking lot.”

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The two partners plan on an extensive, three-phase renovation of the Paramount building. Phase One was securing the loan that will make everything else happen. Phase Two will consist of a “complete theater restoration” that will include an upgrade of the exterior facade, a new marquee, and general upgrades to the entire facility.

The renovations and re-opening of the Paramount are set to commemorate the theater’s 80th anniversary. The theater was originally a movie palace – one of the finest in Western Massachusetts, before changing things up with mixed entertainment and live shows in the 1960s, according to the Web site Cinema Treasures.

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At the press conference, held in the lobby area of the Paramount building, Barrasso and Stein talked about their commitment to doing business in Springfield and restoring the 80-year-old theater to its former glory. Barrasso said that as part of the renovation, the theater building will be transformed into a functions facility that will host not only live entertainment, but also weddings, banquets and other private events. A new restaurant will also be moving into the space of the former L’uva Restaurant. That restaurant will serve as the catering company for the theater, said Barrasso. An announcement on the restaurant is set for sometime in the next couple of weeks.

Two other restaurants, the Sitar Restaurant and Paramount Pizza, also lease space at the Paramount building.

In addition to the entertainment facilities, the upper floors of the Paramount building will consist of renovated office space, with some space devoted to market-rate housing and artisan “live-work” space. Earlier this year, Barrasso was part of a Springfield group that visited Pittsfield, MA, on a tour of similar facilities there.

“This project to us is about development and belief in the city of Springfield,” said Stein of the Paramount renovation. “That we believe in the city of Springfield, we believe in its economic future, and we believe in putting our checkbook where our mouth is and investing.”

City Councilor Tim Rooke talks with Paramount co-owner Michael Barrasso.

State Representative Cheryl Coakley-Rivera, a big supporter of the arts community, was on hand at the press conference. “I just wanted to say,” Rivera said to Barrasso and Stein, “I am very pleased and very proud of you guys for this investment in Springfield.”

City Councilors Bud Williams and Tim Rooke were also in attendance. Noticeably absent – though not surprisingly so – was Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno. Barrasso and Stein filed suit against the city back in June after they were refused a special permit to hold 18-and-over nights at their other downtown business, the Skyplex, located on Stearns Square. Sarno is scheduled to testify behalf of the city on August 31. Tim Rooke, also an arts booster, is the brother of the plaintiff’s attorney, Thomas Rooke. Bud Williams is running for mayor against Sarno.

For further updates on the Paramount renovation, visit Mike Barrasso’s DowntownDiaries.

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Posted by Bill Dusty on Aug 25th, 2009 and filed under Entertainment, Latest Posts, Springfield. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.