Can the National Theatre be saved? [updated]

Update: At the September 28 meeting, the Neighborhood Advisory Council recommended the National be preserved in place and restored. The NAC also recommended that preservationists help Bedrock with design solutions and an alternative to the pedestrian walkway. The next meeting was moved to Thursday, October 12 at 5:30 p.m. at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center Auditorium.

We’ll soon know the fate of the National Theatre, the Albert Kahn-designed last-standing remnant of Detroit’s first theatre district. While the inside is in bad condition, we know the facade will be saved. The debate right now is whether that’s enough.

It’s right in the middle of the Monroe Blocks, a transformational development by Bedrock that will bring new residential and office buildings downtown. Bedrock’s current plan is to save the facade and use it as a gateway to the development.

Preservation Detroit has issued a statement on these current plan for the National Theatre:

“Even in its deteriorated state, it remains one of downtown’s most distinctive buildings, and is a repository of Detroit’s rich performing arts history. It’s the last surviving piece of downtown’s original theater district and one of the oldest surviving structures built to house the arts in North America.

Bedrock has proposed demolishing most of the building, while preserving a portion of the facade, relocating it, and reusing it as a gateway to their Monroe Block development. While admirable in its intent, we feel this compromises the building’s history and is a missed opportunity to creatively reimagine and reuse the structure and incorporate the existing building into this ambitious, world-class development.”

The Detroit Sound Conservancy has also spoken out about the plan, saying that, “The National is an opportunity for Bedrock to engage seriously with Detroit’s rich musical and cultural heritage.” They’ve also made a video with Lottie “The Body” Graves discussing the history of the venue.

Community Benefits Ordinance meetings have been underway for the $830 million Monroe Block project. Another meeting is scheduled September 28 at 5:30 at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center. The last is scheduled for Thursday, October 12 (same time and place).

Last summer, we asked readers what they hoped would happen with the historic building. Many answered that they would like it to be renovated back into some sort of theatre again.