Not too long ago we wrote about the series of misfortunes that have befallen Brawley, from the cluster of earthquakes that damaged the area in August to the series of fires that have wreaked havoc on many of the city’s older buildings in downtown areas.
Soon, though, this city may see something good come out of long-closed Brawley Theater in the city’s downtown.
Shuttered more than 30 years ago, the theater stood for years as a reminder to residents of the good ol’ days, when it was an informal place to gather and children collected bottle caps as currency to see a movie. It has been described as a portrait of a simpler time for the city, reflected by the silhouettes that still grace its façade.
A chalkboard on the furniture store next door was used for years as a place to communicate up and coming civic and school events. The furniture store fell victim to fire last summer, taking the chalkboard with it.
Owned for more than a year by the Brawley Community Foundation, the theater building is in the preliminary stages of renovation, although the future of the two-story facility has yet to be determined. Among the considerations are its use as an art venue, theater house or small, single-screen movie house.
We can think of no better use for this building from the past than to keep it in the arts family, to lay the foundation for a revitalized downtown and give people a reason to visit this area of a city that is arguably one of the prettiest in the Valley.
Neighboring businesses then might benefit from arts traffic, pouring even more tax dollars into city coffers.
Good things often arise from tragedy. We believe plans for this building are among those good things.
THE ISSUE:
Plans for the former Brawley Theater
WE SAY:
We support turning it into an arts-related venue.
WHAT DO YOU SAY?
Send us your thoughts on this topic to www.ivpressonline.com/letterstotheeditor
Soon, though, this city may see something good come out of long-closed Brawley Theater in the city’s downtown.
A chalkboard on the furniture store next door was used for years as a place to communicate up and coming civic and school events. The furniture store fell victim to fire last summer, taking the chalkboard with it.
Owned for more than a year by the Brawley Community Foundation, the theater building is in the preliminary stages of renovation, although the future of the two-story facility has yet to be determined. Among the considerations are its use as an art venue, theater house or small, single-screen movie house.
We can think of no better use for this building from the past than to keep it in the arts family, to lay the foundation for a revitalized downtown and give people a reason to visit this area of a city that is arguably one of the prettiest in the Valley.
Neighboring businesses then might benefit from arts traffic, pouring even more tax dollars into city coffers.
Good things often arise from tragedy. We believe plans for this building are among those good things.
THE ISSUE:
Plans for the former Brawley Theater
WE SAY:
We support turning it into an arts-related venue.
WHAT DO YOU SAY?
Send us your thoughts on this topic to www.ivpressonline.com/letterstotheeditor
