Raleigh architect tells board Opera House has Potential

An architect specializing in restoration of historic downtown buildings for civic uses told the Albemarle Opera House Board of Trustees recently the Opera House is "as nice a space for an older building in North Carolina as I've ever been in."

Steve Schuster of the Raleigh architectural firm Clearscapes spent a day touring downtown Albemarle, including the Opera House, and meeting with the board of trustees.

The board hopes to restore the building, re-adapting it for use as a children's cultural arts center.

Schuster said the Opera House, built in 1907, is apparently in sound structural condition. "It's a classic structure: honest and direct, designed for this community. The windows are beautiful and the balcony and stage are wonderful," he said "and you have an interested supportive owner."

"You have all the ingredients necessary to consider a restoration and re-adaptation", he said "It's a tremendous opportunity for this community."

Possible drawbacks to the project, according to Schuster, include the upstairs location and the current lack of storage or work space. "It has to be made accessible for the handicapped and other people who can walk but just aren't good with stairs," he said. "You also have to think about getting all the scenery, props and so on upstairs."

Schuster's visit is a part of a feasibility study by the board to see if the project is possible. Subsequent steps would include informing the community about the project and getting community input, raising the money designing the restoration and construction.

It is too early in the process to put together any reliable cost figures, according to Schuster. Among the renovations needed are new wiring, plumbing, insulation, heating and air conditioning. “You could save some money through volunteer labor," he said.

Schuster described similar projects in such North Carolina cities as Morganton, Rocky Mount and Wilson. "Much is happening in downtowns of cities similar in size to Albemarle," he said. In Wilson, the local Arts Council renovated the old BB and T building as its headquarters. It took over alleys and turned them into pedestrian walkways, with tiles designed by local school children. Many of the merchants that back up to the alleys have improved their alley sides and made them accessible to the public. .

"Now," said Schuster, "they're renovating a historic post office and turning it into a children's museum, and are making plans to renovate an art deco theater and turn it into a performance space."

"Downtowns are dying at an incredible rate," said Schuster. "Albemarle's downtown is still alive but will die unless the community continues to make major investments in the downtown area.

The Opera House, upstairs over Starnes Jewelry on Main Street, was a center for entertainment in the early 1900s. People traveled miles to view plays, concerts, vaudeville and traveling minstrel shows. Within a few years the advent of motion pictures caused many people to lose interest in live performances, and the 800-seat Opera House fell into disuse. It has gathered dust and has been used for storage for more than 50 years. The Starnes and Parker families have owned the building since it was built in 1907.

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