Buffalo Theatre District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Buffalo Theatre District
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Neighborhood of Buffalo
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  New York |
| County | Erie County |
| City | Buffalo, New York |
The Buffalo Theatre District is a special area in downtown Buffalo, New York, USA. It's like the heart of Buffalo's theater world. Many exciting shows, including big Broadway productions, come here. These shows might be trying out new ideas or traveling on tour. This lively district is found between Washington, Tupper, Pearl, and Chippewa Streets.
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How the Theatre District Was Saved
In 1978, a plan was created to save and improve the Buffalo Theatre District. This idea came from Jimmy Griffin, who was the Mayor of Buffalo at the time. Harold Cohen and David Parry led the planning team. They were both experts in architecture and urban design.
A quick plan was needed because many buildings in the district were old and empty. There was a risk that they would all be torn down.
A Look Back: The Golden Age of Theatre
In the early 1900s, Buffalo was called the "Gateway to the West." It was a busy city with railroads and the new Erie Canal. During this time, the Theatre District was very popular. It had over 50 different theaters!
But by the 1950s, things changed. The district started to decline. By 1978, more than 65% of the buildings were empty.
The Plan to Rebuild
The 1978 plan suggested that the city should take ownership of most of these empty buildings. This happened through a process called tax foreclosure. After taking ownership, the city would then fix up the outside of the buildings. A new non-profit group would help manage the district.
You can even watch a film about this planning process on YouTube. It's called "The Revitalization of Buffalo's Historic Theater District."
From 1980 to 2004, the non-profit group helped bring the district back to life. They returned 25% of their earnings from the district to the city. The government also gave about $60 million to help restore the buildings and support new projects.
Theatres in the District
Today, the Buffalo Theatre District is home to several active theaters, including:
- Alleyway Theatre
- Irish Classical Theatre Company
- Road Less Traveled Productions
- Shea's 710 Theatre
- Shea's Performing Arts Center
- Shea's Smith Theatre
See also
