Peekskill considers three plans for Paramount theater

Tuesday January 15, 2013 5:55 PM By Chris Serico

Photo credit: Xavier Mascareñas | Local business owner Damian Calemmo and wife Kelli walk past the Paramount Center for the Arts a day after the Board of the Paramount announced that the nonprofit is temporarily suspending operations. The couple, who are members, said they fear the closing would hurt Peekskill. (Oct. 4, 2012)

A decision on the fate of the Paramount Center for the Arts will have to wait a bit longer, as Peekskill officials continue to review three lease, operation and management proposals for the theater, which suspended operations Oct. 4.

City officials are meeting behind closed doors tonight and again on Jan. 29 to review three Paramount proposals, according to spokeswoman Melanie Rener.

According to a news release issued Dec. 13, the city was expected to make an announcement about the future of the venue Monday. But Rener said the city needed more time to properly schedule the meetings needed to give each proposal its due.

Edward Dunphy, who serves as the Peekskill's corporation counsel, agreed, telling Newsday Westchester that the original timeline to announce a new Paramount operator was "aggressive" and that they required more time.

Bob Knight, another Peekskill spokesman, confirmed that the proposal process began last week, adding that the city would not yet reveal the names of the three finalists, because "each proposal contains proprietary information to each proposer."

“The City of Peekskill is deeply committed to finding the right manager/operator to help the Paramount Theater realize its full potential," he wrote in a statement issued to Newsday Westchester. "City leaders are working with a sense of urgency to identify a new leadership team for the Paramount Theater that will act in the best interest of the City, its residents and Peekskill's Downtown business community."

Peekskill Mayor Mary F. Foster has said nonprofit and for-profit suitors demonstrated interest in operating and managing the venue.

Last year was a tumultuous one for the 960-seat theater, which opened in 1930 as a movie complex. Less than three weeks after it hosted a Sept. 15 red-carpet gala to try to raise $300,000 for programming, the Paramount suspended operations indefinitely, citing economic difficulties, a dearth of donations and grants, and increased expenses. The Paramount's board of trustees filed plans to dissolve the nonprofit organization in November.

Whom would you like to see take over the Paramount Center for the Arts? And when do you think the Paramount will reopen, if at all? Vote in the poll below and let us know what you miss most about the Paramount in the comments section.

Tags: Peekskill , Paramount Center for the Arts , music