EVANSTON - It was the kind of happy ending that patrons could have expected in the final scene of a movie shown at the Strand Theater.

In this real-life scenario, however, Evanston Urban Renewal Agency officials were able to save the historic theater itself from possible demolition after a last-ditch effort.

The Strand served as the town's ever-present witness to history for nearly a century, showing movies ranging from silent pictures in the early years to 21st century computer-generated mega-action adventures, with a little vaudeville thrown in between.

But the theater, located on Main Street, was victim of a May 2007 fire that destroyed much of the 90-year-old structure.

URA officials announced last week that theater owners Kim and Kendra West were donating the building to the agency.

"We're pretty excited about it … it's been a long process," URA coordinator Jane Law said.

"I think it's good for the owners, it's good for the renewal board, but more importantly, it's good for our community," Law said. "I think we'll be able now to do some things with it that maybe a private citizen can't."

URA officials have been working for over a year to save the fire-damaged theater, with an eye toward converting the historic structure into a performing arts center or some other attractive public space.

Officials contend the theater's unusual history, its unique movie marquee and facade, and its location in the heart of downtown made it worthy of saving in some form.

In March, the agency made an offer to the owners to buy the property and building, but the sale eventually fell through. Some area residents opposed the purchase of the old theater using public funding.

No one was injured in the early morning fire on May 7, 2007, which took firefighters about three hours to extinguish. The roof collapsed during the fire, but firefighters were able to save the building's walls and the familiar Strand Theater marquee.

Law said URA renovation plans call for completing a final cleanup of the damage and beginning stabilization work on the theater's structure in early October.

She said the agency plans to raise project-specific funding through donations and grants for the renovation work.

"This first phase of work will include removing the remainder of the debris … taking down the flywall on the building, which was the highwall on the back and building the sidewalls back up to 30 feet above the sidewalk," she said.

"Then we'll cap all the brick and make sure everything is mechanically tied-in … and then we'll have at least a cleaned-out, stable and secure shell and a space that we can use for fundraising and that the public can use for events," Law said.

The URA has a history of successful preservation, renovation and rehabilitation projects, including its latest effort - the ongoing restoration of Evanston's historic railroad roundhouse located near the downtown area.

Grand old dame

The Strand opened in 1918 on Main Street. The opening forced the closure of the city's old Opera House, which was constructed in 1885, according to city and county historical records.

The theater quickly became the city's grand dame of cinema, the place where many of the city's residents saw their first movies or went to on their first dates.

The Strand showed silent films in the 1920s and '30s before talkies came along. It was also used for live performances over the years and most recently, served as a discount theater with dollar films.

The Georgian-style theater building - which housed the Evanston National Bank before becoming the Strand - is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Law said URA officials, representatives of the National Historic Trust and the state historic preservation office, and architects from the Idaho firm of Myers-Anderson will meet with residents Thursday night to discuss possible future uses of the building.

"It's been so controversial … but we hope people will come out and share their comments and their ideas and what they might hope to see happen with the site," Law said.

Southwest Wyoming bureau reporter Jeff Gearino can be reached at 307-875-5359 or at gearino@tribcsp.com.

Last we knew: In May 2007, a fire ravaged Evanston's historic Strand Theater.

The latest: The owners of the Strand donated the property and what's left of the structure to Evanston's Urban Renewal Agency last week.

What's next: The URA will hold a public town meeting Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at the Beeman-Cashin building in Depot Square.]]->