INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — Hopes of revitalizing a celebrated old theater take a big step this week.

Friends of the Englewood Theater plan to release the results of a community study at a Tuesday night meeting, which was paid for, in part, by the City of Independence.

In short, the study says community members agree the theater itself has great potential. Community leaders have decided to use it as a combination live concert venue and movie theater. Documents show that would cost roughly $4 million.

The feasibility study also shows costs to rehabilitate the old Ben Franklin Five-and-Dime store, which is connected to the theater, would total $8.6 million. That’s seen as being too high for its intended purpose, according to Brent Schondelmeyer, president of the Friends of the Englewood Theater.

See Full Page