Land swap approved for theater

By AMY SATTERWHITE / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

PALLAS

City leaders gave the formal nod to restoring the old Park Theater for entertainment uses Monday after approving a trade of city-owned property and $40,000 in return for the theater.

The transfer of the cash and property, which was recently estimated at about $160,000, comes approximately a year after Main Street McMinnville Director Dan Gray proposed the idea of theater restoration.

Main Street members said at the time restoration efforts would require more people. The Park Theatre Group, which would renovate and operate the theater for cultural events, was formed by about 12 people last summer. To date, that group has grown to more than 60, Park Theater Group Chair Pam Pallas said.

Pallas praised city leaders after the vote and said the next step for the group is to form an executive board, establish themselves as a non-profit organization and work out an operating agreement with the city. Some city leaders have hinted at leasing the building to the group for a nominal fee, but no discussion on that issue took place during the meetings.

Alderman Patti Nunley voted no during first reading of the ordinance authorizing the action. She said Tuesday although she supported the idea, she needed more information about the group’s business plan.