Business Matters

Two Batesville couples tackle revitalization of downtown theater

Admittedly, the to-do list is daunting.

With an initial investment of $117,000, a pair of Batesville families bought into a leaky roof, some hazardous materials and a crumbling facade. Fixing those issues is just "Phase 1" of bringing the downtown Melba Theater out of disrepair.

Still, updating the Melba, which originally opened as an opera house in 1875 and has served as a movie theater, mercantile store and concert venue, was an undertaking that Adam and Mandi Curtwright and Joe and Janelle Shell felt compelled to attempt. Adam Curtwright once worked in the theater and has fond memories of what it means to Batesville.

Similar issues are facing optimistic investors across the state as they work to bolster already thriving downtowns, or in some cases serve to jump-start revitalization. We're fortunate there are folks across the state willing to take on these projects.

A 144-room Aloft hotel will one day fill the 106-year-old Boyle Building at the corner of Little Rock's Main Street and Capitol Avenue. A few blocks away, renovations are taking place at the historic Fulk Building where Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods will move its headquarters this summer.

As Kenneth Heard reported in a Friday story on the Melba, theater renovations -- or at least the promise of renovations -- have been vital to revitalization efforts in places like Paragould, Harrison and Forrest City.

Springdale's Apollo Theater, once condemned, is getting a $500,000 face-lift. It will one day be an event center in what locals envision will be a revitalized downtown.

A similar investment is looming for the Curtwrights and Shells, who hope to have the venue ready for the fall. They want their children and others in Batesville to see the Melba as vital to life in town, and not just a crumbling place on the National Register of Historic Places.

Mandi Curtwright said the plan is to keep the theater "family friendly" with "good quality movies at affordable prices." They also envision a place for churches and businesses to congregate for concerts and other events.

Based on public reaction so far, whatever work lies ahead in Batesville will be worth it, and won't be done alone.

"There is so much history behind the Melba Theater," said Curtwright, who was writing on behalf of the group. "We can tell from the outpouring of comments on Facebook that people have very fond memories of their experiences here growing up. The four of us have a desire to preserve the Melba and create new experiences for people to remember. We believe restoring the Melba will be a springboard for revitalizing downtown Batesville."

SundayMonday Business on 04/12/2015

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