Meeting set for Aug. 1 at Chamber Welcome Center
Submitted by admin on Thu, 07/19/2018 - 8:21pm
A large gathering of about 35 interested people attended a community meeting Thursday night about the future of the Humota Theatre. “We won’t leave here tonight with a solution. This is a starting point to collect information to proceed,” Humboldt City Administrator Travis Goedken said. Humboldt Independent photo.
By KENT THOMPSON
Judging from an initial meeting on the future of the Humota Theatre in Humboldt, there is interest among citizens in keeping the 90-year-old movie theatre going.
About 35 persons crammed into the Humboldt City Council chambers Thursday night during the supper hour for an hour-long meeting to discuss the possible future of the theatre in the community.
Humboldt City Administrator Travis Goedken outlined the particulars surrounding the R.L. Fridley Company’s announcement that the theatre could be closing as early as Sept. 1.
Goedken said that won’t happen if the community has a viable plan in place to take over ownership and operation of the theatre.
While such a scenario could take several forms, the most likely is to start a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation to operate the theatre. Other options are a local private buyer or a community investor-group, who would operate the theatre much like a retail business.
Those options will be discussed in greater detail at a community meeting set for Wednesday, Aug. 1, at 6 p.m., at the Humboldt/Dakota City Chamber Welcome Center, 627 Sumner Ave., Humboldt.
Goedken had discussions with the Friends of the Parks Board earlier this week, and they agreed to serve as a conduit for non-profit fundraising activities. Anyone interested in supporting the retaining of the theatre in the community and who would like to contribute financially, may make a check out to "Friends of the Parks," with the word "Humota" in the notation line and drop off or mail the check to Humboldt City Hall, 29 5th St. S., Humboldt, IA 50548. The donations will be tax deductible.
To read more about the meeting and future plans, see the July 26 Humboldt Independent, and check www.humboldtnews.com for any updated community announcements.
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