TOLEDO, Ohio (WTOL) - The historic Ohio Theatre in north Toledo is closing, although the Lagrange Development Corporation (LDC) is already starting an effort to buy and restore it.
The theatre has been a part of Toledo's art and entertainment scene for nearly 80 years, so the LDC wants to raise funds to buy and renovate the theatre from a non-profit group that has owned and operated the building for the last five years. "There's a host of reasons why the Ohio Theatre is important to the neighborhood and to the city," said Terry Glazer with the LDC, "First, it's one of the last surviving theatres. Unfortunately, in the past, we've demolished a lot of these buildings."
A study completed several years ago estimated the cost to repair and renovate the building at $6 million. The LDC wants to restore the building for around $3 million.
Glazer said they are looking for funding sources. He points out that both mayoral candidates graduated from nearby Woodward High School in north Toledo, so he hopes either one would support the renovation.
