Heritage Treasures Day
Preserve Nevada released a list of endangered places in the state, and The Lear Theater is at the top.
It was built as a church in 1939 by Paul Revere Williams, who is considered one of the most important African American architects of the 20th century.
As a church, it closed in the 1990's and a non-profit organization, led by church member Moya Lear, sought to convert it into a theater. About 10 years ago it was donated to Artown, but funding has remained an issue.
The Reno-Sparks Theater Coalition still hope to turn it into a community theater, more affordable to smaller companies than the Pioneer Theater, and with more than enough space to be a repository for props, costumes and set-making.
"The quality of your art only reflects the quality of your community, and right now we're still struggling," says Randi Thompson of the Sierra School for Performing Arts. She wants to see a community center that is open and available to anyone and provides options for a night out.
Current controversy surrounds a developer who wants to build new apartments around the location, which many believe will take away the character and historical value of the property, and would also require the city to abandon portions of Riverside Drive, on which it is located.
The developer, Krater Consulting Group, has stated that the apartments would be the revenue-generator needed to finance the renovations the theater needs, but Thompson is concerned that by then, it may be too late.
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