The four groups vying to keep the Senator Theatre up and running presented plans to a crowd of about 200 at the theater last night, with each proposal met by a slew of queries and critiques.
While none of the plans garnered the lion's share of approval, the presentation that drew the most raves was that of James "Buzz" Cusack, owner of the five-screen Charles Theatre in the Station North Arts District. Cusack proposed keeping the Senator as a full-fledged one-screen movie theater while adding a restaurant and crepe shop. He also proposed possibly adding a screen in the triangular areas south of the building.
The biggest applause was reserved for plans by Towson University's WTMD public radio station. Stephen Yasko, WTMD general manager, drew ovations before he even began his proposal. He spoke of plans to transform the venue into a multi-use film and concert theater that would also house the station's studios and offices.
Enoch Cook, a theater management teacher at Coppin State, proposed using the Senator as a live performance and cineplex venue, staging vaudeville acts to attract interest in puppetry. He said the theater would offer morning and evening performances and operate four days a week.
While those three proposals dealt with activity inside the Senator, the one presented by developer JR Owens focused on creating revenue streams with development surrounding the venue. He outlined plans for "The Lofts at the Senator," a mixed-use facility with 24 two-bedroom apartments.
Owens, whose company JR Owens Corp. manages rental properties in Mount Vernon, said he would allow an independent group to run the theater, adding, "I know nothing about the theater. I know about development and making money."
Owens' vision was met with questions about preserving the theater's artistic importance, while the other three proposals were met mainly with questions about cost.
Most in attendance said they wanted more from the presenters on how they would help the landmark stay afloat.
"We're concerned about where the money is coming from to make it a success," said Susan Gifford of Baltimore. "It's been a problem to make it viable. I think some combination of using the stage that's up there and the movies would be great."