Pantages Theatre

Preserving theatrical history

By Cathy McKitrick

SALT LAKE CITY—In mid-March, the future of the Utah Pantages Theatre hung by a thread as supporters fought in court to stop developers from demolishing the once-glamorous century-old structure on Main Street. On March 8, Third District Court Judge Robert Faust denied Friends of the Utah Pantages Cinematic Theatre’s request for a temporary restraining order that would block the wrecking ball’s blows while their case gets fully litigated. But with that denial, Faust granted Friends the chance to amend and strengthen their request. The nonprofit Friends—which formed last June – includes case plaintiffs Michael Patton, Derek Bleazard, Casey McDonough and Ibrahima Fall, who filed their initial complaint in February against Salt Lake City Corporation and its Redevelopment Agency – a municipal board made up of Mayor Erin Mendenhall and city council members. Patton, a self-described filmmaker and activist, said they planned to revise their request, add more defendants, and resubmit to the court as soon as possible. “I found out about the theatre about 10 years ago when the city first bought it, and I was excited they were going to restore it,” Patton said. “But then in 2019, we found out about this new deal to destroy it.” Since then, he’s been spearheading the effort to save and restore the Pantages theatre, which he considers both historically and culturally significant. McDonough, an architect, worked to help establish the theatre’s eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places, an action that the State Historic Preservation Office had recommended the Redevelopment Agency pursue in 2019, according to court documents. On November 4, 2021, Salt Lake City’s Historic Landmark Commission unanimously approved making that recommendation of eligibility to the

State Historic Preservation Office. However, prior to the State Office’s scheduled meeting on November 18, the city conveyed the property’s title to Main Street Tower Owner, LLC—a subsidiary of the Texas-based Hines Acquisition company. In a November 10 letter to the Utah Division of State History, Main Street Tower’s attorney Bruce Baird detailed his opposition to that historic designation. “The unfortunate reality is that the property is beyond repair and there is not a financially viable use for restoration,” Baird said in his letter. But Patton disagrees, convinced that Pantages is a treasure that can be restored and once again bring in revenue. “Pantages is not in a vacuum,” Patton said, noting its place among others designed by renowned architect B. Marcus Priteca. “There’s a Hollywood Pantages, one in Tacoma almost identical to ours, and also one in Toronto/ Minneapolis.” Patton also questioned the city’s projected restoration estimates. “The RDA has been inflating these numbers for years, saying it would cost $60 to $80 mil to restore,” Patton said. According to Historic Theater News, restoration of Tacoma’s historic Pantages cost less than $25 million, which included seismic upgrades. That work finished in 2018. “It’s very doable,” Patton said of the Salt Lake City Pantages restoration, noting that landing a spot on the National Register would open the door for federal tax credits to help fund it. He also believes that grants, private donations from benefactors and other sources could be found to get the job done. In December 2019, the Redevelopment Agency sold the property— which was then valued at just over $4 million—to Hines for $0. That agreement came with the stipulation that a mid-block walkway and family-friendly park with an entertainment venue would be included in the project. The developer also agreed to provide at least 10 percent of the housing units in the proposed mixed-use tower to households making 60 to 80 percent of area median income. The court document filed by Main Street Tower Owner LLC in opposition to the temporary restraining order described what they considered to be excessive behavior on the part of Patton and other plaintiffs. “This is not Plaintiffs first, second or even third attempt to derail MSTO’s redevelopment efforts,” Baird said in the filing, noting their vigorous opposition at several City Council and RDA meetings, trespassing in the theater, along with a “smear social media campaign slandering Salt Lake City officials.” Baird also wrote that a wrongful injunction blocking demolition could incur annual costs in the tens of millions of dollars due to delays in the property’s development. “The injunction would adversely affect the public interest,” Baird concluded, urging denial of the temporary restraining order. Depending on the court’s ultimate decision, demolition could begin shortly, rendering any further legal action to save Pantages moot.

A BAR NAMED SUE

Full bar, food, pool tables, pingpong. 3928 S Highland Dr, SLC + 8136 S State St, Midvale

BEERHIVE PUB

Main Street just got a whole lot cooler! A big, gorgeous bar, hundreds of great beers and good company. 128 S Main St., SLC

BIG WILLIES

Good pub food, sports bar and pool tables. 1717 S Main St, SLC

BODEGA

Home of SLC’s best kept secret. 331 S Main Street BOHEMIAN BREWERY

Czechs know: Amazing food. Amazing beer. 94 E 7200 S

CHAKRA LOUNGE

Tapas, exceptional cocktails, DJ. 364 S State, SLC COTTON BOTTOM INN

Classic aprés ski, famous garlic burgers. 2820 E 6200 S, Holladay

DESERT EDGE PUB

Great food and atmosphere for a night out. Trolley Square

FIDDLER’S ELBOW

Watch the Utes and drink a stein in Sugar House. 1063 E 2100 S

GRACIE’S

Service, drinks, food and ambience—all top notch. 326 S West Temple, SLC

GREEN PIG PUB

Great place to watch the game and have a pint. 31 E 400 S, SLC

HOG WALLOW

Offering spirits & bar food, live music. 3200 E Big Cottonwood Canyon Rd, Cottonwood Heights

KEYS ON MAIN

Live dueling piano bar in the heart of downtown. 242 S Main

LEGENDS SPORTS GRILL

Perfect spot to watch the Jazz and enjoy a burger and a brew. 677 S 200 W

LUCKY 13

Excellent food and a friendly atmosphere. 135 W 1300 S

PIPER DOWN

SLC’s Most Amazing Rooftop Patio. 1492 S State St, SLC

POPLAR STREET PUB

Good food, great selection of local beers. 242 S 200 W PROPER BREWING CO.

Craft beer and a full bar. Food available next door at Proper Burger Co. 857 S Main St., SLC

RED ROCK BREWING CO.

Utah’s most awarded brew pub: taste why. 254 S 200 W + 1640 W Redstone Center Dr, Park City

SQUATTER’S

Where great dining and beer was born in Salt Lake City. 147 W Broadway (300 S)

THE BAYOU

A must see ‘Beervana’, 100s of beers. 645 S State St., SLC

TWIST

Renovated 19-century boiler room with a patio for clever small plates, pub classics & craft beer. 32 S Exchange Pl, SLC

UINTA BREWERY

A small pub attached to Utah’s biggest brewery. 1722 Fremont Dr. (2375 W)

WASATCH BREW PUB

Superb food and beer. 2110 Highland Dr, SLC + 250 Main Street Park City

WHISKEY STREET

High West and a great vibe classic feel. 323 South Main St.

Celebrating America’s Craft Breweries with over 300 Brands

April Activities

January Through April

Downtown Farmers Market—Winter. Continuing on Saturdays through April 23rd, the market is held at The Gateway, 10 N Rio Grande Street, Salt Lake City. The market includes locally grown and produced produce, meat, eggs, cheese, baked goods, sauces, condiments, chocolate, and more. Hours are from 10am to 2pm.

April 13

McCune Mansion Tours. Tours are from 10am to 11am and 11am to 12pm. This mansion on Capitol Hill has imported roof tiles from Holland, white satin-grained mahogany from South America and a room-sized mirror from Germany. The mansion also features ceiling murals and decorative borders that took an artist from New York two years to finish. It was completed in 1901 and restored in 2001. Tickets for the one hour tour are $12.

April 15, 16, 17

Gem Faire. This event will be held at the Mountain America Expo Center, 9575 S State Street in Sandy. The hours are 12 to 6pm on Friday, 10am to 6pm on Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sunday. Admission is $7 for a weekend pass. The show will feature fine jewelry, crystals, gems, beads, minerals, gold & silver, fossils, and more.

April 16

Riverton Park Bunny Hop. Held from 10am to 11am this event is different from most Easter Egg Hunts. Held at Riverton City Park, 1452 W 12600 S families make their way around the park visiting stations to get candy, prizes, or to participate in Easter activities. The Easter Bunny will be there for photos. For ages 12 and younger.

April 22-23

Fall Peace Officers Trail Ride. This annual event is held in Moab and honors the state’s fallen peace officers. Visit upoa.org for more information.

April 23

Earth Day Celebration at Ogden Nature Center. Held from 11am to 4pm at 966 W 12th Street in Ogden. Celebrate Earth Day with exhibits, demonstrations, entertainment, food, nature crafts, and fun activities. Admission is $5 for non-members, $4 for members, and $3 for children under 12. All proceeds benefit the mission of the Ogden Nature Center.

25% OFF

Your in-store purchase of $20 or more! Famous Farmers Market Glazed Nuts Cake Truffles - Fudge

Sweet Clouds Cotton Candy - More! 273 W 500 S Unit 12 Bountiful UT 84010 801-872-4567 www.awesweet.com