Today in Wheeling History: February 5—The Wheeling Convention and Visitors Bureau announced the purchase of the Capitol Theatre from Live Nation, marking the beginning of its restoration (2009).
The Capitol Theatre, located at 1015 Main Street in Wheeling, West Virginia, faced significant challenges in the early 2000s. In 2006, Clear Channel, which owned the theatre, ended the Jamboree USA series and closed the building after it failed a safety inspection in 2007. The theatre was assessed with numerous fire code violations, and it was estimated that at least $2 million in repairs and renovations were needed. In 2009, a coalition of local organizations, including the Wheeling-Ohio County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Wheeling National Heritage Area Corporation, Regional Economic Development Partnership, and the City of Wheeling, purchased the theatre from Live Nation for $615,000. The restoration effort aimed to raise $8 million to revitalize the building and restore it as a central piece of Wheeling's downtown entertainment district. The Greater Wheeling Sports and Entertainment Authority, which now operates the theatre, has seen tremendous success since its reopening. The theatre has hosted numerous sold-out shows and events, contributing to the cultural and economic vitality of Wheeling. In June 2019, the theatre's mortgage was retired, and the Wheeling/Ohio County Convention and Visitors Bureau became the sole owner. Today, the Capitol Theatre continues to attract thousands of patrons annually, generating a positive economic impact for the region.
To learn more: Capitol Theatre Official Website (https://tinyurl.com/bder9r5r), Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/bdha7xbb)
Photo caption and credit: Capitol Theatre in Wheeling, West Virginia in 2015. (Library of Congress)
The Capitol Theatre, located at 1015 Main Street in Wheeling, West Virginia, faced significant challenges in the early 2000s. In 2006, Clear Channel, which owned the theatre, ended the Jamboree USA series and closed the building after it failed a safety inspection in 2007. The theatre was assessed with numerous fire code violations, and it was estimated that at least $2 million in repairs and renovations were needed. In 2009, a coalition of local organizations, including the Wheeling-Ohio County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Wheeling National Heritage Area Corporation, Regional Economic Development Partnership, and the City of Wheeling, purchased the theatre from Live Nation for $615,000. The restoration effort aimed to raise $8 million to revitalize the building and restore it as a central piece of Wheeling's downtown entertainment district. The Greater Wheeling Sports and Entertainment Authority, which now operates the theatre, has seen tremendous success since its reopening. The theatre has hosted numerous sold-out shows and events, contributing to the cultural and economic vitality of Wheeling. In June 2019, the theatre's mortgage was retired, and the Wheeling/Ohio County Convention and Visitors Bureau became the sole owner. Today, the Capitol Theatre continues to attract thousands of patrons annually, generating a positive economic impact for the region.
To learn more: Capitol Theatre Official Website (https://tinyurl.com/bder9r5r), Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/bdha7xbb)
Photo caption and credit: Capitol Theatre in Wheeling, West Virginia in 2015. (Library of Congress)
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