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The Heart of Downtown • Retail Core along Michigan Street <br /> Tpda <br /> • <br /> .i. ,,.... <br /> . 1 <br /> ..... , ,,,,...-5 l't,i s 2.,.-----_ " - - ..... , <br /> till N <br /> �\r *, i '~ i ••� ~ <br /> Q <br /> This postcard from the tg6os shows a bright.illuminated State Theater amongst a lively i > IT Iii <br /> kol ' (�♦lk _ • ; �. <br /> o <br /> Michigan Street-bringing back the energy of this historic destination could help activate -. ta_. _` l'.111 ''' ;4 a i I,. M t, ;+ ;. ,- <br /> nearby restaurants and storefronts before or after performances and events -� isto�' , <br /> 3. STATE THEATER : �, I <br /> The Blackstone Theater opened in South in 1921 as a venue -' T,,, ,N., . ,• 1,, ° :. <br /> for silent motion pictures and vaudeville shows.Designed by ' `� •s -� If1 A <br /> Henry L.Newhouse,the building has a Neoclassical exterior �___ „•M ; • ��� U. <br /> and a Beaux-Arts interior.Reopened in 1g2g as the State t a �-+-." 1111 :' �'�•+��I • • A I . it''',;, i <br /> Theater,it has been home to a range of uses-burlesque ' <br /> shows,graduations,telecasts,beauty pageants,second-run . 9! « - LIJ <br /> • <br /> f : ?cf <br /> I jil. <br /> performing arts and cultural center. 1 ,,,, k • A <br /> Renovation costs and complexity present a challenge to • v t - ►} ! + •s+�i�A ., <br /> reusing the space.However,the State Theater is one of the - MN ___ <br /> I <br /> most significant historic buildings Downtown.A public-private ' "' - <br /> partnership wilt be needed with adequate incentives to gain <br /> site control,stabilize,and eventually renovate the building. * Tomorrow <br /> Through the Downtown South Bend Master Plan process, Potential improvements may include a re,twation of the Facade additional lighting and <br /> signage.added street furniture.and improved sidewalk plantings <br /> citizens suggested potential future uses for the building:an art, <br /> music,and event venue,or reuse as a comedy or dance club. <br /> The Heart of Downtown 40 <br />