Monomoy Theater Demo Denial Upheld

CHATHAM – The historic business district commission’s decision to deny the demolition of the playhouse on the former Monomoy Theatre property was upheld by the select board Tuesday.

In a unanimous decision, the board determined that the HBDC had acted within its authority to deny the request by property owner Chatham Productions to tear down the playhouse at 776 Main St. Board members agreed with the commission’s determination that the building was historically significant and was worth preserving.

Greg Clark of Chatham Productions made it clear during the 90 minute hearing that the decision would be appealed to superior court.

Chatham Production’s Victoria Clark emphasized that whatever the ultimate outcome — whether the building is renovated or torn down and replaced — there would no longer be a theater on the property.

“We will move forward with allowed by right uses,” which could include retail or office space or a restaurant, she said. “This will be the case whether or not the select board allows the demolition. This building will no longer be a theater.”

Board members acknowledged that they have no control over the ultimate uses Chatham Production decides for the property but expressed a desire that at least the facade of the playhouse, either as restored or new construction, be preserved.

“There’s a lot of history there,” said board member Jeffrey Dykens. Preserving the appearance of the building, he said, would go a long way toward the acceptance of any new use.

The select board’s authority in Tuesday’s hearing was limited to determining if the HBDC decision was arbitrary and capricious or outside its authority. That wasn’t the case, they agreed.

“I don’t see the grounds to overrule what they have decided,” said board member Stuart Smith.

The Clarks maintained that the playhouse was not historic and that it was in such poor condition that it was not practical to renovate. When Chatham Productions bought the property in 2019, they intended to create a performing arts center on the property, but in order to do that, they needed to either obtain historic tax credits or develop other portions of the property to finance the project. They maintained that the playhouse did not meet the criteria for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, which is required to obtain historic tax credits, and several plans to develop housing on the portion of the property closer to Depot Road were turned down by town boards.

“We have received no support in the past six years for a variety of projects that would have funded the lengthy and expensive process of bringing back the theater,” Victoria Clark said. Added Greg Clark, “For the past six years all we’ve gotten is pushback on everything.”

The historical commission has twice voted that the building is historically significant, said Chair Frank Messina, including earlier on Tuesday. The building is associated with important historical figures in Chatham and the Monomoy Theatre played an important role in the town’s cultural life, he said. Even if the building will no longer be a theater, “it doesn’t mean you have to destroy the building,” he said.

At one time a toy factory, the playhouse building was converted to a theater by artist Harold Dunbar and operated as a summer theater by Mary Winslow before being taken over as a summer training program for theater students by Ohio University in 1958. It operated for 60 years, producing many graduates who went on to work on Broadway and in movies and television before closing in 2018.

“Monomoy is not just an old structure, it’s a symbol of the arts in Chatham,” said resident Brooke Thomas.

Select Board Chair Dean Nicastro was concerned about the poor condition of the building being an attractive nuisance; police have reported many break-ins there, and he worried that it could become a significant hazard to public safety personnel. Board members, who toured the site earlier this month, noted that while plywood had been placed over some windows and doors, it was certainly not secure.

Nicastro said he was satisfied with Town Counsel Jay Tallerman’s opinion that upholding the demolition denial would not expose the town to liability for anything that happens on the property.

Asked about the cost of renovating the theater building, Greg Clark declined to name a figure, saying that was irrelevant. He said constructing a new building “will work better” because the existing structure “is not a very good layout.”

“But we can figure out how to make it work,” he said.

Memories of Monomoy Theatre “pull a lot of heartstrings,” Dykens said, telling the Clarks that incorporating the original building in their future development plans would be seen positively by the community. But, he added, “I want folks to know that we’re not going to have a theater here.”