Fans of Anchorage’s historic movie house plan to celebrate its 70th birthday over Memorial Day Weekend with significant movies, music and memories. A street fair right on Fourth Avenue is planned from May 27-29.
This expression of community spirit is more than a birthday party. Participants hope to find a way to save the building, or at least influence its future. The building is privately owned by Peach Investments, the enterprise of Joe and Maria Fang. Their sons, Terrance and Derrick Chang, live in Anchorage.
What are your personal memories about the theatre? Would saving the facade mean as much to you as saving the interior of the movie house? What ideas do you have for a viable business that could be housed in the historical home of the theatre?
HOST: Kathleen McCoy
GUESTS:
- Ira Perman, Friends of the Fourth Avenue Theatre
- Klaus Mayer, architect, Alaska Design Forum
- Grant Callow, local historical enthusiast (by phone)
- Judy Bittner, state historic preservation officer
LINKS:
- Fourth Avenue Theatre— 70 years of history KTVA Frontiers, Rhonda McBride
- Historic Anchorage theater deserves state protection Alaska Dispatch News April 24, 2017
- Fourth Avenue Theatre owners propose a major redevelopment in downtown Anchorage Alaska Dispatch News, April 24, 2015
- City denies $38M tax break for proposed 4th Avenue Theatre redevelopment, Alaska Dispatch News June 1, 2016
- 4th Avenue Theatre found to be “significant to Alaska historic and cultural heritage” KTUU, April 24, 2017
- Historic theatre could be torn down (2005 news story) Juneau Empire 12-18-2005
- Cook Inlet Historical Society’s database, Anchorage 1910-1940, Legends & Legacies
PARTICIPATE:
- Call 550-8433 (Anchorage) or 1-888-353-5752  (statewide) during the live broadcast (2:00 – 3:00pm)
- Send email to hometown@alaskapublic.org before, during or after the live broadcast (e-mails may be read on air) hometown@alaskapublic.org
- Post your comment or question below (comments may be read on air)
