The Sattler Theatre, often called the Broadway Theatre (c.1914), at 516 Broadway near Jefferson, was purchased by Western New York Minority Media Professionals for $40,000, and will be restored for roughly $1 million. It will be a gem once again.
The purchase itself is sort of old news, but the group is now on the verge of construction. At the moment, Watts Engineering and Architecture has been hired with Flynn Battaglia Architects to oversee the work. Construction will begin in October, once the construction company has been chosen. At the moment, WNYMMP has narrowed it down to five prospective companies vying for the job.
Structurally, the building is sound, but requires aesthetic renovations to be ready for use. The theatre is tentatively scheduled to reach completion this fall or in the early winter of 2010.
The finished Sattler Theatre will be WNYMMP headquarters, with the Bob Coles Institute (a media artifact museum) located directly behind it, housing a TV studio on one floor and performance space on another, for students looking to brush up their skills in front of the camera or in the performing arts. It will be open to all members of the city.
The goal of WNYMMP is to bring jobs to Buffalo, create scholarship programs for students, and provide great entertainment for all to enjoy.