Title
To celebrate and commemorate the grand reopening of the historic Lincoln Theatre May 25, 2009
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WHEREAS, the Lincoln Theatre originally opened its doors on November 26, 1928 as the Ogden Theatre and Ballroom, a mixed-use facility which included a theatre for live performances and film presentation, a second-floor ballroom and meeting room, and street-level retail establishments; and
WHEREAS, the Lincoln Theatre is a Columbus landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was once the shining gem of an upscale African-American community east of downtown; and
WHEREAS, the Lincoln Theatre was home to Central Ohio's flourishing African-American culture and was a Midwest precursor of the Harlem Renaissance; and
WHEREAS, on October 16, 2007, the Lincoln Theatre Association celebrated the launch of a $13.5 million construction project to restore the Lincoln Theatre to its former glory; and
WHEREAS, the long-awaited restoration of the Lincoln Theatre was led by Mayor Michael B. Coleman with the cooperation and support of the Columbus City Council, Franklin County Commissioners, the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA) and local community and business partners; and
WHEREAS, the Lincoln Theatre celebrates its grand reopening with a ceremonial ribbon cutting on Thursday, May 21, 2009, and officially reopens to the public Monday, May 25, 2009; and
WHEREAS, the Lincoln Theatre will serve as a multi-use, state-of-the-art urban performing arts and education center, as well as a home for ten local performing arts organizations; and
WHEREAS, the renovated Lincoln Theatre is the cornerstone of the revitalization of the King-Lincoln District, and its restoration symbolizes the rebirth of a storied Columbus neighborhood; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby commemorate the grand reopening of the historic Lincoln Theatre May 25, 2009, and celebrates and promotes the continued revitalization of the historic King-Lincoln District.