Dallas Forest Theater Restoration Seeks Neighborhood Revival – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth
The new plan to renovate the old Forest Theater on Martin Luther King Boulevard in Dallas also provides for a revitalization of the surrounding neighborhood of South Dallas.
Behind the plan is a group called Forest Forward.
“We have the passion, we have people who want this building to be opened and restored.” That said Elizabeth Wattley, CEO of Forest Forward.
The theater was separated on what was then Forest Avenue when it opened in 1949. The SM Wright Freeway was built right next to the theater in the 1950s and as the neighborhood changed the theater became a hangout for the African American community as a cinema and then a nightclub.
According to the Forest Forward website, Tina Turner, Prince, Gladys Knight and BB King performed in the theater.
But in recent years the building was closed and fell into disrepair.
So dozens of people were there on Friday to celebrate the announcement of Forest Forward’s new plan.
“And we’re not going back. This has got to the point of no going back and the Forest Theater will be a sustainable organization bringing arts and education to the community, ”said Wattley.
The team includes developer Jack Matthews, who has experience with large projects and the restoration of old buildings. Among other things, his company Matthews Southwest developed the Southside on Lamar Lofts in a former Sears warehouse and the Omni Dallas Convention Center Hotel.
“Our know-how consists of a number of mistakes that we remember. So we use our expertise to help her not make the same mistakes we made, ”said Matthews.
In addition to renovated event and meeting rooms, the plan also includes a restaurant, a partnership with the Dallas Independent School District for a cradle-to-college education program, and new affordable housing nearby.
A board member of Forest Forward is former Dallas City Council member Diane Ragsdale. As the Executive Director of Innercity Community Development Corporation, she has experience building affordable housing in South Dallas.
“Theater is a catalytic force to revitalize without displacement and with collaborative input,” said Ragsdale.
The area zip code is 75215 and $ 75,215 is also the fundraising goal for the project. A commitment of $ 25,000 has been received so far.
Other upgrades take place in the area.
Down the street on Martin Luther King Boulevard, St. Philips Church is renovating a retail strip to improve the community.
Cornerstone Church recently opened a grocery store around the corner on Ervay Street.
“The ability to work with and work with them gives us a head start,” said Wattley.
Matthews said Dallas native singer Erykah Badu first introduced him to the Forest Theater. Badu used to renovate the space, which has since been bought by the Forest Forward group.
“This is just an amazing building with so much history. It just has to be done, ”said Matthews.
Ragsdale said Matthews brings vital support to success.
“He has the talent and the ability to make it happen,” she said.
Ragsdale said she has lived in the 75215 area code all her life and has partied at the Forest Theater in the past.
“Yes, 75215 needs to be resuscitated. I believe that this organization, Forest Forward, can actually be that catalytic force,” said Ragsdale.
Larry James, retired CEO of CitySquare, a nonprofit agency in Dallas, is the chief executive officer of Forest First.
The Forest Theater was originally part of the Interstate Theater chain. It was built by developer Karl Hoblitzelle, who also built the Dallas Majestic, Lakewood, Inwood, and Circle theaters.
[ad_1]
