A historical landmark in town will soon have a second chance at life. According to reports, the Liberty Theatre in Columbus is now officially owned by the city.
About the Liberty Theatre
Reports as far back as March 2020 indicate that this takeover has been on the city’s agenda for years. At that time, reports shared that the theater had not been renovated in about 25 years.
Now, with the news of new ownership, the Liberty Theatre in Columbus is poised for a second coming. The city plans to apply for grants to secure funding for much-needed renovations and improvements.
In the end, the city and supporters of the Liberty Theatre hope to see it thrive once again as a cultural arts center for the whole community.
You can watch a video that recaps the theater’s current strategic plan. But, for the time being, the doors to the once-bustling theater will remain closed.
More about the historic theater
Built in 1924, the Liberty Theatre was the city’s largest movie theater.
Motion pictures as well as stage productions began showing at the location in 1925 and continued until 1974. At the Liberty Theatre, countless talents graced the stage or even got their start there.
Performances by Ella Fitzgerald, Ethel Water, Lena Horne, Columbus’s own Ma Rainey, and the big bands of Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway, for instance, are highlights of the theater’s rich history.
After the doors shut in 1974, things remained quiet until 1984, when the Liberty Theatre was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. By 1993, a grant had been received and it was reopened in 1996 as the city’s first African-American arts institution and playhouse.
Today, the building is not operational, but the spirit of The Liberty continues to ring true and strong. Hence, the new ownership and commitment by the city to return this icon to its former glory.
Summary
Located at 813 Eighth Ave., the Liberty Theatre in Columbus is less than five miles from Brookwood Park Apartment Homes. In fact, our convenient location in Phenix City is one of the many things to love about us. Find out more about our apartments and our community by continuing to read our blogs.