Historic local theater faces wrecking ball

AKRON -- The owner of a West Akron landmark has received a permit to tear it down, much to the dismay of area residents.

Ted Bare wants to knock down the Highland Theater on West Market Street keeping only the front facade and lobby. City leaders have granted Bare's permit, but have reached an agreement with him not to move forward with demolition until residents' concerns can be addressed.

The theater, which opened in 1939, has hosted concerts and live performances for decades but turned to first-run movies in 2004.

Residents who live near the theater were surprised by the decision to tear it down.

"It's part of who we are," said Lisa Bostwick, Highland Square Neighborhood Association. "To have a place where all of us can go to take our kids to see a movie or live performances. Something we all really enjoy and we enjoyed it when I was a child and now I take my kids there and it's one of the things we look forward to. It's part of who we are."

Bostwick organized a Tuesday night meeting of concerned residents to consider other options for the theater.

Bare did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

City leaders are in the middle of a major makeover for the entire Highland Square area to include a new grocery store and other businesses near the Market Street-Portage Path intersection.