It will take much more than just lights, camera, and action bring a movie theater back into downtown Westport.
In fact it will take four million dollars, dozens of permits, and an overwhelming amount of town support.
1999 was the year that the downtown based movie theater left Westport due to high rent costs. In that same year longtime Westport resident Dan Woog watched the culture of downtown diminish. “Westport is less of a community and is a less interesting town,” Woog said.
To enhance the Westport culture and create a permanent home for appreciating cinema, the Westport Cinema Initiative has launched a project that will bring a three screen theater to Main Street. WCI boardmember Doug Russ ’13 believes that the theater will enhance Westport’s atmosphere. “The theatre will benefit this town and serve as a solution to a downtown most Westporters consider dead,” Russ said.
WCI has already taken several key steps to executing their vision. Securing the property behind Tavern on Main in July 2012 was imperative, but the upcoming fundraising stages are the most difficult.
According to Russ in order to raise the funds in addition to simple donations, WCI is launching a Charter Membership Camapign where donors can contribute amounts in exchange for future discounts at the theater. “This method gives people the knowledge that they are helping an amazing cause,” Russ said.
And its coming soon to a theater near you. “The timeframe is to break ground in construction of the theatre by the end of this year,” Russ said.
To make the theater a leisurely place to spend time, everything will be state of the art. WCI Board Member Bobby Jacowleff ’14 highlights the plan for luxurious screening room, three screens, and a live performance space in the two level cinema. Top quality equipment will be used to enhance the viewing experience.
Played daily on these screens will be a variety of movies that appeal to both the younger and older demographics. To date everything from Animal House to The Great Gatsby has been featured at WCI sponsored events events around town.
Both Russ and Jacowleff emphasized the importance of building a community as a result of the theater. Not only will the theater play movies, but it will have conference and studio space, making it a center of many purposes. “We hope to make the theater a hub of downtown, one that will engage the community with speakers, events, and fantastic indepdendent films, “ Russ said.
Residents and even merchants are counting on the theater to become a hub of action because much of the old nightlife that once existed downtown has faded away in these last 14 years. “Westport lost far more than people realize. The theaters drew people downtown. There were bars and clubs. People would even walk up and down Main Street window-shopping. There’s none of that now,” Woog said. “The theaters also provided entertainment for kids, without having to go out of town.”
Without entertainment, Westport kids and teens have no reason to venture downtown. Hannah Ching ’15 would like to experience a lively night on Main Street. “I think Westport needs more. The convenience of a movie theatre right in town would cause me to stay here rather than venturing to other towns so often.”
Similarly Jesse Greenspun ’16 who has lived in Westport all his life cannot remember spending any of his nights downtown. “You’ll never find any of my friends and I downtown past four, there is just nothing to do,” Greenspun said.
With many detailed plans in place to execute this vision, this time is critical for the WCI’s project. The biggest step for now though is raising the necessary money to cover exorbitant building and operating costs.
Although the process is complicated, Jacowleff and Russ are very hopeful for the future of not only the project, but for the revitalization of downtown Westport. “This process has spanned a couple of years now, long before I even joined the board, and it’s amazing to see all the pieces coming together,” Jacowleff said.
