Comments on: What to do with the Alexandria Theater? http://richmondsfblog.com/2010/02/03/what-to-do-with-the-alexandria-theater/ News, information, photos, videos and history about the Richmond District neighborhood of San Francisco. Sun, 01 Aug 2010 05:16:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Dave http://richmondsfblog.com/2010/02/03/what-to-do-with-the-alexandria-theater/comment-page-2/#comment-8308 Dave Sun, 04 Jul 2010 09:01:54 +0000 http://richmondsfblog.com/?p=3894#comment-8308 For starters, I will admit that I worked @ this theater and had one of my worst experiences being employed by the then United Artist Theater chain. Thus, my opinion of the place is a bit tainted and honestly speaking I would not miss it if it was torn down since it's already in such sorry shape. But besides my personal issues (at least I'm being honest I have personal issues), I think there is very little that can be done especially in this economic climate. If anyone has been paying attention, there's a plentiful amount of commercial real estate sitting vacant in the Richmond District. Why would anyone want to poor money in a building that desperately needs massive repair and modernization if the investment will probably never pay for itself? Unless one is willing to just let it sit until the economy starts to show signs of some "real" growth, then I would say keep it around in its present state until the right time comes around to do something with it. Other than that, we should tear it down and turn the property into something like a mini park or public recreation center. We never have enough of that in the Richmond due to the concrete nature of the neighborhood and it can do wonders for the community. Best of all, it doesn't add to the current surplus of vacant residential and commercial property. The Alex has served its usefulness and now it's time to move on. For starters, I will admit that I worked @ this theater and had one of my worst experiences being employed by the then United Artist Theater chain. Thus, my opinion of the place is a bit tainted and honestly speaking I would not miss it if it was torn down since it’s already in such sorry shape.

But besides my personal issues (at least I’m being honest I have personal issues), I think there is very little that can be done especially in this economic climate. If anyone has been paying attention, there’s a plentiful amount of commercial real estate sitting vacant in the Richmond District. Why would anyone want to poor money in a building that desperately needs massive repair and modernization if the investment will probably never pay for itself? Unless one is willing to just let it sit until the economy starts to show signs of some “real” growth, then I would say keep it around in its present state until the right time comes around to do something with it.

Other than that, we should tear it down and turn the property into something like a mini park or public recreation center. We never have enough of that in the Richmond due to the concrete nature of the neighborhood and it can do wonders for the community. Best of all, it doesn’t add to the current surplus of vacant residential and commercial property.

The Alex has served its usefulness and now it’s time to move on.

]]> By: Andrew Christie http://richmondsfblog.com/2010/02/03/what-to-do-with-the-alexandria-theater/comment-page-1/#comment-5234 Andrew Christie Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:34:51 +0000 http://richmondsfblog.com/?p=3894#comment-5234 Why not a Skating rink? Ice/ or wheels? Keep all the architecture in the original. Why not a Skating rink? Ice/ or wheels? Keep all the architecture in the original.

]]> By: Alexandria Theater is now on the vacant building list | Richmond District Blog of San Francisco (richmondsfblog.com) http://richmondsfblog.com/2010/02/03/what-to-do-with-the-alexandria-theater/comment-page-1/#comment-4410 Alexandria Theater is now on the vacant building list | Richmond District Blog of San Francisco (richmondsfblog.com) Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:56:22 +0000 http://richmondsfblog.com/?p=3894#comment-4410 [...] plans revealed for the Alexandria; possible supper club More details on plans for the Alexandria What to do with the Alexandria Theater? Shuttered Alexandria Theater evades upkeep [SF Examiner] var addthis_language = 'en';var [...] [...] plans revealed for the Alexandria; possible supper club More details on plans for the Alexandria What to do with the Alexandria Theater? Shuttered Alexandria Theater evades upkeep [SF Examiner] var addthis_language = 'en';var [...]

]]> By: New Plans for Alexandria Theatre « Exploring Outside Lands http://richmondsfblog.com/2010/02/03/what-to-do-with-the-alexandria-theater/comment-page-1/#comment-4214 New Plans for Alexandria Theatre « Exploring Outside Lands Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:44:46 +0000 http://richmondsfblog.com/?p=3894#comment-4214 [...] announcement is no doubt welcome news to the theater’s neighbors as the space has been vacant for the past 6 years and has been [...] [...] announcement is no doubt welcome news to the theater’s neighbors as the space has been vacant for the past 6 years and has been [...]

]]> By: San Francisco News: “The Scoop” » Blog Archive » Zombie Buildings: Alexandria Theater Is Still Doing a Whole Lot of Nothing http://richmondsfblog.com/2010/02/03/what-to-do-with-the-alexandria-theater/comment-page-1/#comment-3925 San Francisco News: “The Scoop” » Blog Archive » Zombie Buildings: Alexandria Theater Is Still Doing a Whole Lot of Nothing Thu, 25 Feb 2010 03:04:51 +0000 http://richmondsfblog.com/?p=3894#comment-3925 [...] a Richmond SF Blog report on the sad state of the Alexandria Theater, the SF Appeal today has even more about the 1923 art [...] [...] a Richmond SF Blog report on the sad state of the Alexandria Theater, the SF Appeal today has even more about the 1923 art [...]

]]> By: John Tarantino http://richmondsfblog.com/2010/02/03/what-to-do-with-the-alexandria-theater/comment-page-1/#comment-3900 John Tarantino Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:04:45 +0000 http://richmondsfblog.com/?p=3894#comment-3900 This theatre should be rebuilt and return to a single screen theatre. I have very fond memories of many visits to the Alexandria when my friend Bud Tapper was the Manager, and my friend Claire who answered all of the San Franciso Theatres calls for what movies were playing at all Untied Artists theatres. Now you get press 1 for what? now you would never find the grand luxury of this old style grace. that we were so lucky to have years ago, if we let this grand old lady go we have lost another piece of the Richmond District , SAVE It Support IT but dont let it fall down!!! This theatre should be rebuilt and return to a single screen theatre. I have very fond memories of many visits to the Alexandria when my friend Bud Tapper was the Manager, and my friend Claire who answered all of the San Franciso Theatres calls for what movies were playing at all Untied Artists theatres. Now you get press 1 for what? now you would never find the grand luxury of this old style grace. that we were so lucky to have years ago, if we let this grand old lady go we have lost another
piece of the Richmond District , SAVE It Support IT but dont let it fall down!!!

]]> By: Mark http://richmondsfblog.com/2010/02/03/what-to-do-with-the-alexandria-theater/comment-page-1/#comment-3886 Mark Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:10:06 +0000 http://richmondsfblog.com/?p=3894#comment-3886 I saw 2 movies there before it closed, and it was old and dirty. The neighborhood is now immigrant dominant, so it's even harder to have a theater succeed there. There are already 3 small theaters in the area (4 Star, Balboa and Bridge). All struggle...four star almost closed down a while back. I just hope it doesn't go the way of some of the old theaters on Mission st and just turn into a dollar store! I saw 2 movies there before it closed, and it was old and dirty. The neighborhood is now immigrant dominant, so it’s even harder to have a theater succeed there. There are already 3 small theaters in the area (4 Star, Balboa and Bridge). All struggle…four star almost closed down a while back.

I just hope it doesn’t go the way of some of the old theaters on Mission st and just turn into a dollar store!

]]> By: Phil http://richmondsfblog.com/2010/02/03/what-to-do-with-the-alexandria-theater/comment-page-1/#comment-3590 Phil Thu, 11 Feb 2010 01:18:46 +0000 http://richmondsfblog.com/?p=3894#comment-3590 It comes down to economics. I think the owners are satisfied with the malaise and the income generated from the current ground floor tenants and the parking in the back. As discussed in prior comments, a new theater or a new grocer might not be a good fit where so many other options available nearby. Converting or razing the corner to a mix-use development with either rentals or condos above retail may be the best option. The parking lot is large for the neigbourhood and can be subdivided to provide the financial collateral to re/development of the corner. There is so much potential for this corner but it is sad to see Alexandra in such dilapidated state. It comes down to economics. I think the owners are satisfied with the malaise and the income generated from the current ground floor tenants and the parking in the back. As discussed in prior comments, a new theater or a new grocer might not be a good fit where so many other options available nearby. Converting or razing the corner to a mix-use development with either rentals or condos above retail may be the best option. The parking lot is large for the neigbourhood and can be subdivided to provide the financial collateral to re/development of the corner. There is so much potential for this corner but it is sad to see Alexandra in such dilapidated state.

]]> By: Before it’s too late… | Richmond District Blog of San Francisco (richmondsfblog.com) http://richmondsfblog.com/2010/02/03/what-to-do-with-the-alexandria-theater/comment-page-1/#comment-3585 Before it’s too late… | Richmond District Blog of San Francisco (richmondsfblog.com) Wed, 10 Feb 2010 22:14:01 +0000 http://richmondsfblog.com/?p=3894#comment-3585 [...] reader Joanne sent this in to me after reading our post What to do with the Alexandria Theater?. She originally designed the poster for a graphics design [...] [...] reader Joanne sent this in to me after reading our post What to do with the Alexandria Theater?. She originally designed the poster for a graphics design [...]

]]> By: Ko http://richmondsfblog.com/2010/02/03/what-to-do-with-the-alexandria-theater/comment-page-1/#comment-3563 Ko Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:03:31 +0000 http://richmondsfblog.com/?p=3894#comment-3563 whatever is installed there I think it will need the Geary BRT to bring people in. The McMenamin brothers projects look great. Seems like a good model to follow. whatever is installed there I think it will need the Geary BRT to bring people in. The McMenamin brothers projects look great. Seems like a good model to follow.

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