2002-21 DESIGNATING A LANDMARK LINCOLN SQUARE THEATRE AND INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS - 141-145 NORTH MAIN STREET

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MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC HEARING OF THE HISTORICAL AND ARCHITECT'URAL SITES COMMISSION Wednesday, March 13, 2002, 7:00 P.M. City Council Chambers, Decatur Civic Center ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The March 13, 2002, Public Hearing of the Historical and Architectural Sites Commission was called to order at 7:02 P.M. in the City Council Chambers,Third Floor of the Decatur Civic Center,by Vice Chairman Jason Butterick. Members Present: Jason Butterick, Doug Atwater, Edward Booth, Paula Cross, Rhonda Glidewell, Sue Kunzeman, Garry Little, Scott Saterlee Members Absent: Lynn Potter, Rob Oak Staff Present: Kathy Miller, Lori Henderson Mr. Butterick stated that the Public Hearing was part of the process to designate a landmark. Mr. Kory Wilmot was present to represent the application for local landmark status of the Lincoln Square Theatre and the adjacent Independent Order of Odd Fellows Hall located at 141 - 145 North Main Street. Mr. Wilmot stated that the Lincoln Theatre was the first large theater in Decatur, opening in 1916 and seating 1,300. The theater is in the heart of downtown Decatur and is one of two historic theaters left, the other being the Avon. The Lincoln Square Theatre is Classic Revival and was designed by Charles Aschauer of Aschauer and Waggoner of Decatur. Mr. Wilmot distributed a handout which is attached to these minutes. He reviewed the uses of the Lincoln over the years starting with vaudeville, silent movies, talkies, the addition of an orchestra and organ. The first Lincoln Theatre group formed brougl�t in live acts. The theater was vacant for a number of years and Lincoln Square Theatre, Inc. was formed in 1989 dedicated to the restoration of the theater. The owner of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Hall dedicated the hall to the Lincoln in 1996. Mr. Wilmot stated that the Lincoln has hosted various fine art productions. The marquee was installed in 1951 and refurbished in recent years. The marquee has 1,000 lights. The fireproofing of the building with a two foot thick gypsum wall around the auditorium was innovative for the time period and to Decatur. The attached lists why the Lincoln Square Theatre should be listed as a local landmark and notes the criterion which apply. Those criterion include: value as part of the heritage and culhral development in Decatur, distinguished architectural type, example of design by a local master architect and architectural innovation. Mr. Little asked Mr. Wilmot what had generated his interest in the Lincoln Square Theatre. Mr. Wilmot stated that he had chosen the theater as a college class project. He chose a place from