The stage of The Paramount reflects some of the damage that has taken place at the historic downtown theater.
Reminder Publishing photo by G. Michael Dobbs
Earlier this summer, I made a trip to Rome, New York, to attend a multi-day vintage film festival.
I had never been to that historic community of some 30,000 people in central New York and the festival was presented at the city’s Capitol Theater, a historic 1920s movie palace.
The community has supported the preservation and renovation of the theater and it was beautiful and vibrant with a slate of movies and live performances.
Going into it was like stepping back into time. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
I came back with ideas bouncing in my head. What if we could do something like that? Springfield has one remaining downtown theater, The Paramount. It would be a perfect location.
This was once a downtown with many theaters including The Capitol next to City Hall, The Arcade, The Bijou, The Poli and The Court Square, among others. All are now gone with the exception of The Paramount.
Opening in 1929, the movie palace could seat 3,200 people for both movies and stage shows. It was opulent with original paintings, unique lamp fixtures and a pipe organ that had a console coming up from the basement.
Shortly after my return, I learned The Paramount block was going to be sold at auction by its owners, the New England Farmworkers’ Council. I asked my boss Steve Cary at Focus Springfield if he would be interested in producing a show that would take our cameras inside the theater to assess its current condition before the auction.
We received permission and what I saw deeply saddened me.
I had last been in the theater in 2018 when former Gov. Charlie Baker gave the nonprofit organization $2 million to seal the roof and prevent more water damage. The New England Farmworkers’ Council had been the owner of the building since 2011 and had sporadically used it for events. The plan in 2018 was to renovate the theater and build apartments out of the offices in the Massasoit House part of the block.
Whatever motivated the head of the organization, Herberto Flores, to want to buy a building so far out of the stated purpose of his nonprofit is beyond me.
In 2012, Flores thought he had a use for the building. Springfield was in the middle of an effort by several casino companies to be the city’s casino pick. This was the battle that MGM eventually won.
The Paramount was a key part of the proposal made by Penn National. It would not build a big theater as part of its casino plan but would use the Paramount. In its 2012 press release, the company noted, “In keeping with its Hollywood brand, Penn National also intends to assist in the refurbishment of the historic Paramount Theater and house additional administrative offices in the building.”
At a press conference in the theater at that time, various local business partners were escorted to the stage by women dressed as classic Las Vegas show girls. Penn National put on quite a show.
It was all for naught, though. As you know, Penn National did not succeed in that contest and apparently Flores’ dreams of either selling the building to Penn National or leasing it to them were over.
The building has just sat there since then with the exception of the 2018 visit by Baker. Seeing the building today, Flores’ lack of stewardship of this building, which is on the National Registry of Historic Buildings, appalled and angered me.
I don’t blame the staffers who have been in charge of maintain the building. They clearly have been trying to do what they can. There are still leaks in the roof and the theater has been the target of people trying to break into it. Chunks of plaster litter the floor. The smell of mustiness pervades the theater. The carpet is ruined and there is peeling paint everywhere. All of the seating on the first level of the auditorium has been removed.
No, I don’t blame them. I blame Flores for allowing the building to fall into such disrepair.
I’ll try to look at the good side of the situation. Hopefully someone will buy the block and will have a plan to take part of Springfield’s past and make it part of the city’s future. The creation of new apartments would be very welcome as we all know we need much more housing.
Do we need another downtown performance space and part-time movie theater? I would argue we do. There is only one place for live music in downtown Springfield and that’s Theodore’s. Another venue for somewhat larger shows would add to the attraction of downtown. Over the years there were many concerts and plays presented at The Paramount. We could do that again.
As far as movies go, the city only has the Regal Theaters at MGM. Perhaps running the films they don’t book would be welcomed by movie fans. As someone who managed a first-run theater I know how the economics of the film business and I believe it could work.
It won’t be easy, but the potential benefits would be great. I hope the next owner truly believes and acts on that potential.
G. Michael Dobbs has worked for Reminder Publishing for 23 years of his nearly 50-year-career in the Western Mass. media scene, and previously served as the executive editor. He has spent his time with the publisher covering local politics, interesting people and events. The opinions expressed within the article are that of the author’s and do not represent the opinions and beliefs of the paper.
