Peekskill reviews Paramount theater plans this week

Monday January 7, 2013 5:45 PM By Chris Serico

Photo credit: Xavier Mascarenas | The Board of the Paramount Center for the Arts announced in a press release dated Oct. 3 that the nonprofit is temporarily suspending operations for the popular Paramount. (Oct. 4, 2012)

The City of Peekskill is reviewing lease, operation and management proposals this week for the Paramount Center for the Arts, whose operations have been suspended since Oct. 4.

Edward Dunphy, who serves as the Peekskill's corporation counsel, told Newsday Westchester last week that the applicants that the city deemed most viable would offer presentations to officials this week.

Mayor Mary F. Foster has said nonprofit and for-profit suitors demonstrated interest in operating and managing the venue. Among them could be the staff of Tarrytown Music Hall, whose executive director, Björn Olsson, told Newsday Westchester last fall he was intrigued by the possibility.

The city is expected to announce a winning proposal Jan. 14.

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.

Tags: Peekskill , Paramount Center for the Arts , music , Westchester