The Senator Theatre is a significant historic landmark on the National Register, and it's clear from the way the BDC is handling this process that they don't understand its value as a piece of history and art, or its potential to generate tourism dollars. If they did, they would be consulting historic theatre experts from around the country on how best to proceed. Some version of a community based non-profit model has worked well for historic theatres all over the country. Indeed, among the theatres that have won the annual award from the League of Historic American Theatres, based here in Baltimore, all past winners take donations from the public, non-profit style.

Among the four proposals submitted:
The Lofts proposal from J R Owen is a joke. I can't believe anyone would take it seriously. I think the whole immediate neighborhood will unite against that one.

The proposal from Charles owner Cusack would butcher the historic building, dividing the auditorium and destroying the original bathrooms. Definitely a no go.

The PUPKids Theatre proposal probably doesn't have the money, since Enoch Cook III was at the pre-proposal conference asking if the city would fix the roof, because he only has the money to lease the theatre for a few months. So that won't work, unless he's since gotten financing.

The WTMD/Towson proposal shows some promise, but I would not be able to support it without seeing the full proposal, specifically their plans for restoring and caring for this precious historic facility. The mix of programming they are proposing is very similar to what The Senator is currently doing, and what Senator volunteers have been proposing all along.

Any proposal that includes showing first run movies with a profit in mind, is a non-starter. I like the WTMD/Towson U. proposal the best. Having the college involved could help create a much needed spark of excitement in that area.

With the exception of WTMD's, the proposals seem universally awful. The idea of apartments is absurd, and the PUPKids proposal, while laudable in its intent, sounds dangerously underfunded. Most insidious of all is Mr. Cusack's offer, as he plans to make drastic changes to the Senator's famous architecture, including altering the auditorium and converting the historic bathrooms and lounges into eateries. This is obscene, and proves that Mr. Cusack's proposal is not made in good faith.

As for WTMD's proposal, it sounds very much like what Senator supporters, including Tom Kiefaber, have been proposing and demanding for years. But without seeing an explicit business plan and plans for the building's restoration and maintenance, I cannot at this time endorse it.

What the Senator needs more than anything else is the input of experienced theater caretakers who have reinvigorated other historical theaters across the country, making them vibrant community centers, while still respecting their architecture and design. Baltimore deserves nothing less.

Anyone with a million dollars to invest in
stabilizing the historic theatre for future
generations, who can work unhysterically
with the City, with the local film community
and others, deserves a chance at it.

Good luck to you and Godspeed,
Richard Tryzno Ellsberry

Through its programming, concerts,and commitment to local artists, WTMD has already established itself as a positive presence in the Baltimore arts community. I would be excited to see them utilize this new space, and I am confident that they would successfully create a valuable community resource while being sensitive to the building's history and architecture.

Additionally, their vision for a multi-use arts center adds something new and innovative to the area, while the other proposals do not. Baltimore already has a great movie theater with a crêperie next door, not to mention loft-style apartments; another would not add as much.

Andy: Don't forget this wonderful theatre's support of the community. Our family hopes the Senator still shows "It's a Wonderful Life" this year, with canned food donations for the Maryland Food Bank. It's a tradition for us, and many others.

Ideas matter. That's why great films can make us laugh or weep. And it's why the university should take over.

No other proposal has the potential to fill The Senator with more people on more occasions and in pursuit of a wider range of interests. Paid or unpaid. Educational or entertainment.

Universities are the original content engine. Plug in that gorgeous Art Deco peripheral and watch the ideas flow.

The freshest idea with the most long term viability is the Towson/WTMD proposal.
I can't wait to record in that big hall with great accoustics.
I am looking forward to a brilliant future with Towson, WTMD, the local community, and this monumental and historic theater in Northern Baltimore.

I was thrilled to see WTMD's proposal for The Senator Theater. Since the station first went on the air seven years ago, they have continually shown their commitment to our community, promoting local musicians, arts, and cultural programs. Their proposal would not only enable them to not only continue, but enhance those programs. At a time when the local economy could use a boost more than ever, supporting WTMD's proposal would certainly get my vote!

To Andy,
Happy Thanksgiving--it's not easy to write as many editorials as you do per day--you do a great job-- thanks.
UN at the table

I believe the answer is crystal clear. One proposal far exceeds the others in that it will reach the most demographically diverse population giving participants the opportunity to express their love and passion as an appreciator and/or creator of film and/or music. "WTMD at the Senator" is the only proposal with the ability to make that vision a reality!

In all honesty, what many wanted to see happen was a transition of The Senator, an internationally recognized landmark, to community-based non-profit ownership, as have many other historical theatres across the country!

Mr. John Lind is the head of a company called Venuetech (venuetech.com) that assists in this sort of thing for a living. He flew in from California, on his own dime, to made a presentation that showed everyone attending last December's Town Hall Meeting that The Senator could follow suit. The League of Historic American Theatres includes members that have and are following this path. But, the city's appointed evaluation committee (which, as far as I know did did not include any historic theatre experts) decided that although other cities and towns have done it, this could not be the case in Baltimore.

Now another city appointed group (The BDC) has been given the task of deciding the future of The Senator, in her 70th year and on the National Register of Historic Places. Again, there has been no indication that any historic theatre experts have been consulted or invited to join in the evaluation process. I'm sorry, but if you wanted to restore a classic car would you ask Jiffy Lube to hire someone to perform the service? No, you'd want someone who knows classic cars inside and out to help.

This, friends, is why the current process is a miscarriage. I don't blame the BDC for it. They were given a job and they're trying to accomplish it, but I really have my doubts that in the end the citizens will believe that the best job that could have been was accomplished.

The Cusack plan I find odd. Mr. Cusack is a member of the city's Commission for Historic and Architectural Preservation (CHAP), which sought last May to impose restrictions on the interior of The Senator in the name of preservation. Now he proposes to alter the auditorium!?

JR Owens, I believe, would have to charge his tenants exhorbitant fees in order to not only maintain the proposed apartments, but deal with the harsh financial realities involving first run movies in a single screen theatre.

Noch-Noch Productions' proposal while admirable and promising to be open armed to a variety of performances appears to be a rental request, not a desire to own. This would most likely mean that the city would be expected, as landlord, to pay for whatever repairs required to the building. This could be substantial and would not address restoration that so many desire to see (again something that community-based non-profits evidently find easier to do).

That leaves the one submitted by WTMD/Towson University. The limited information regarding their proposal appears to best fit what I and many other Friends of The Senator have been advocating for some time: A multipurpose arts, entertainment and education venue.

It is not the community-based non-profit ownership that many believe is the way to go, but there is much common ground. However, our limited knowledge of their full proposal precludes full endorsement, so I look forward to learning more.

The WTMD proposal is the winner, and a great way to build a bridge from a suburban university to an urban landmark.

The proposal by Buzz Cusack is the clear winner. It is obvious when you look at the success he has had with the charles theatre. Adding a new restaurant and crepes shop would be a great addition to the neighborhood and provide new jobs.

If wtmd is given the chance to go forward with their proposal they will most certainly fail. They could not provide any information on how they plan to finance necessary renovations to the building during the proposals meeting. They are consistently begging for money and while I like the station for the music they play, I feel I may turn on the radio one day and they will be gone.