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January 2004
Sameric/Boyd Theater
On Tuesday, September 16, 2003, the Philadelphia Daily News ran a story explaining that the Goldenberg Group and Clear Channel have decided to partner to reopen the Boyd/Sameric movie palace located on Chestnut Street between 19th and 20th as a "multi-purpose entertainment facility." The proposal cited in the article Old Sameric getting new start illustrates plans to restore the theater to retain its original art deco design while expanding the main auditorium in order to bringing in large scale live theater productions and film programming. The restoration project will cost approximately $25 million and Clear Channel has agreed to provide $11 million of that amount. Public funds, from the city yet principally from the state, will be invested in the project as well.
Questions from the Philadelphia theater community and members of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance prompted the Cultural Alliance and the Theatre Alliance of Philadelphia to co-host an informal forum on Thursday, October 2, 2003, in order to begin thinking of ways the Goldenberg Group/Clear Channel partnership could be a positive addition to the community. Leslie Smallwood, Director of Development for the Goldenberg Group presented a detailed look at their plans and discussion followed.
There was agreement in the belief that the Boyd/Sameric Theatre is an important historic landmark that adds exceptional value to the preservation of the motion picture heritage of Philadelphia and of the United States. We support the Goldenberg Group as owners of the facility in their plans to restore the theater and to make it a viable asset to the region.
Background
The Goldenberg Group, a commercial real estate development company that handles large projects across the mid-Atlantic region, acquired the Sameric theatre from motion picture theater chain operator United Artists in 1998. Although the Goldenberg Group owned the theater, it continued to be operated by United Artists until they vacated the premises in May of 2002 due to the money woes that led to their filing for bankruptcy in September 2000.
Clear Channel Worldwide is "a collection of media and entertainment companies" with divisions that include music, theater, and sports. Clear Channel owns six Philadelphia radio stations and they are affiliated with six television networks. Clear Channel currently "presents Broadway shows in 60 North American markets" and owns or operates 14 theatrical stages in North America including the Merriam Theater in Philadelphia.
List of Clear Channel Presence in
the Philadelphia Market
Theater
E-Centre/Amphitheater/25,000 Seats/Music
Hershey Star Pavilion/Amphitheater/25,000 Seats/Music
Tower Theater/Theater/3,052 Seats/Music
Electric Factory/Club/3,000 Seats/Music
Theater of the Living Arts/Theater/810 Seats/Music
Merriam/Theater/1,870 Seats/Music
Radio
WDAS-AM
WDAS-FM
WIOQ-FM = Q102
WJJZ-FM = Smooth Jazz
WSNI-FM = Sunny 104
WUSL-FM = Power 99
Television
Although Clear Channel does not own any local television stations in Philadelphia, it is affiliated with the ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, UPN, and WB television networks.
Links to Articles in Chronological Order
The Boyd/Sameric Theatre History
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the Boyd/Sameric Theatre
Goldenberg Group Web Site
Clear Channel Web Site
Goldenberg Group 1999 Mention of Sameric Project
Effort to have the Boyd/Sameric classified as a historical building
Preservationists petitioning to save the Boyd/Sameric
Save the Boyd/Sameric Group Formed
Demolition permit approved
Support for why the Boyd/Sameric should be saved
Demolition permit renewal by the Goldenberg Group
Goldenberg/Clear Channel Partnership
Undated Articles Regarding the Boyd/Sameric Restoration
Article showing other groups contacted about Boyd/Sameric restoration
Community meeting at the Academy House to save the Boyd/Sameric Theatre
Community forum hosted by Young Involved Philadelphia
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