Beautiful Venue for the Kickoff Example of Community Collaboration, Past Success
On January 26, hundreds will gather in Elkhart to launch the Vibrant Communities initiative in the beautiful Lerner Theatre in downtown Elkhart. A decade ago this wouldn’t have been possible. The theatre had fallen into great disrepair and its days as a cultural center seemed to be solidly in the past.
That is until barricades were placed on the sidewalk in front of downtown Elkhart’s classic theatre. No VIP was coming – the visits from Bob Hope, Harry Houdini and Andy Williams had gone.
No, the orange barriers signified a public safety concern in 2005. The theatre’s façade was detaching from the structure and was in danger in falling.
The aging structure on Main Street was a mess, and a metaphor for a downtown that was s
agging, as well. Storefront vacancies and a lack of activity put Elkhart’s central business district in peril.
But architect Dan Cripe saw potential. So did community leaders like Jack Cittadine, Art Decio, Bob Deputy and many, many more. With support from the city administration and the backing of study groups and the community at large, an $18 million plan was created to reaffirm the Lerner Theatre as the heart of Elkhart’s Arts and Entertainment District.
It wasn’t easy. The Great Recession of 2008-09 was taking a tremendous toll on the local economy. But the Lerner’s revitalization meant so much for the long-term viability and vibrancy of downtown Elkhart that the opportunity could not be put aside for better days.
In 2011, the theatre’s grand re-opening attracted numbers similar to when the house first opened in 1924, when silent movies and vaudeville acts were the entertainment of choice. National acts are welcomed to the stage – names like Willie Nelson, the Beach Boys, Foreigner and Jennifer Nettles – and local talent is showcased with regular performances by Premier Arts, the Elkhart County Symphony, dance academies and more.
Today, the Lerner is the crown jewel of the Gateway Mile. Downtown occupancy is high, and high-end, market-rate apartments are filled. Nearby neighborhoods are improving, and activities fill the streets, stores and restaurants with regularity.
With the Lerner at its heart, the idea of downtown Elkhart as a place to live, work and play has taken root and contributes to our vibrant community.
