PUBLISHED ON February 19, 2010
By ROSS COURTNEY YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC
RENOVATION IS ONLY PART OF THE JOB; VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO RUN THEM
Retiree Kathy Aubrey works just as hard at Prosser's Princess Theatre as she did at her old job.
Only difference is she doesn't get paid.
PUBLISHED ON November 7, 2009
Yakima Herald-Republic
WILSON BUILDING HAS AN OLD LOOK, BUT A NEW LIFE
Scott Irons liked what he saw Friday as he watched the Wilson Building shed its skin. Not that he was surprised.
PUBLISHED ON September 11, 2009
Yakima Herald-Republic
CAPITOL THEATRE -- PAST MEETS FUTURE IN GLORIOUS GRANDEUR
This editorial appears in the Sept. 11, 2009, Yakima Herald-Republic.
Seismic change in a community -- the kind that's bold and breathtaking -- is memorable not only for what it offers but the future it portends.
POSTED September 9, 2009
KNDO/KNDU Right Now
THE MANY ACTS OF YAKIMA'S JEWEL BOX
YAKIMA, Wash. - This week the Capitol Theatre raised the curtain on its latest act in Yakima, building a new production center.
PUBLISHED ON September 9, 2009
Yakima Herald-Republic
CAPITOL THEATRE EXPANSION UNDER WAY
By PAT MUIR YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC
YAKIMA, Wash. -- The ceremonial gold-painted shovels turning dirt Tuesday at the Capitol Theatre are the same ones the city of Yakima supplies for groundbreakings throughout the year, but speakers at the event insisted this was no ordinary groundbreaking.
PUBLISHED ON June 5, 2009
Yakima Herald-Republic
HISTORIC WILSON BUILDING COULD BE SPARED
by DAVID LESTER, YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC
Previously headed on a collision course with a wrecking ball, the 107-year-old Wilson Building may yet have a future as part of the Capitol Theatre.
PUBLISHED ON March 22, 2009
Yakima Herald-Republic
WILSON MEMORIAL COULD ADORN NEW CAPITOL LOT
by DAVID LESTER, YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC
Erecting a permanent memorial to George Wilson, a Scottish immigrant, farmer and businessman in Yakima at the turn of the 20th century could be required before the Wilson Building on Yakima Avenue is demolished to make way for a theater pavilion.
PUBLISHED ON December 2, 2008
Yakima Herald-Republic
THEATER SEEKS PERMISSION TO DEMOLISH WILSON BUILDING
by LEAH BETH WARD YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC
The Capitol Theatre Committee applied Monday to demolish the Wilson Building as part of the theater's expansion plan.
PUBLISHED ON September 11, 2008
Special to The Seattle Times
Downtown Yakima Comes Back To Life
by JACKIE SMITH THE SEATTLE TIMES
A recently completed face-lift gave the oldest part of town a new "old" look. Cast-iron lampposts line spacious sidewalks, and Front Street is again paved with bricks, much as it was when first paved in 1907
PUBLISHED ON July 23, 2008
Yakima Herald-Rebublic
Historic panel wants city to intervene in Wilson Building demolition
by CHRIS BRISTOL YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC
Memo to the Yakima City Council: End the cover-up!
That's the message the city's Historical Preservation Commission wants to convey to the City Council about the fate of the doomed Wilson Building, which is slated for demolition as part of the Capitol Theatre's ambitious $15 million expansion plan.
PUBLISHED ON July 20, 2008
Yakima Herald-Rebublic
Section: Opinion/Editorials
Letter From The Editor
Perhaps not since Geraldo Rivera oversaw the televised opening of Al Capone's secret vault in Chicago back in 1986 has there been such a buildup of suspense. This time, though, it's a local mystery: What secrets might be hidden from public view in an old building that's slated for demolition in downtown Yakima?
PUBLISHED ON July 13, 2008
Yakima Herald-Rebublic
IS THIS BUILDING WORTH SAVING?
by CHRIS BRISTOL YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC
Time has not been kind to the Wilson Building.
Situated at one of downtown Yakima's busiest corners, the building's modern glass-and-metal storefronts look nothing like when it was built in 1902. The rusting green metal facade that covers the second floor dates to the 1950s. Its many-times-over remodeled interior holds no hint of a bygone era of craftsmanship.
PUBLISHED ON July 2, 2008
Yakima Herald-Rebublic
COUNCIL RAISES CURTAIN FOR CAPITOL THEATRE
by CHRIS BRISTOL YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC
The expansion of the Capitol Theatre is officially under way.
The Yakima City Council on Tuesday approved a contract with the Traho architecture firm that for all intents and purposes marks the official startup of the theater's ambitious expansion plan.
Work actually began last month on the relocation of utilities behind the theater, a downtown landmark since the 1920s that is seen by civic leaders as the most natural replacement of the defunct Yakima Mall as the city's new heart and soul.
PUBLISHED ON June 3, 2008
Yakima Herald-Rebublic
KIMMEL FINDS NEW LOCATION
by MAI HOANG YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC
Big plans for the Capitol Theatre means a big move for a Yakima athletic supplier.
Kimmel Athletic Supply Co. will close its downtown store on July 28 and reopen Aug. 1 at 2105 W. Lincoln Ave., next to The Print Guys.
PUBLISHED ON April 1, 2008
Yakima Herald-Rebublic
Section: Opinion/Editorials
Letter From The Editor
A million here and a million there, and pretty soon we're talking about serious money to pay for new looks in downtown Yakima. Two projects will be instrumental in making it a destination point of the future. * Last week, the Yakima City Council unanimously agreed to set in motion the closing of Third Street in front of the Capitol Theatre for a pedestrian plaza. It will be an integral part of a major $15 million expansion of the historic theater that will make it an even bigger draw for everything from local shows and concerts to traveling Broadway productions.
PUBLISHED ON March 31, 2008
Yakima Herald-Rebublic
Section: Opinion/Editorials
Blending the old and the new
To the editor - Having been raised in Yakima, I recognize our need to move into the 21st century and join our neighbors in Seattle and Spokane who are working so hard to update neighborhoods that have had little attention paid to them. It's this type of willingness to change that makes those cities so successful.
That's why I am more than shocked at the resistance being voiced toward the Capitol Theatre expansion. One of the things that I love about Seattle is its careful blend of classic architecture and culture with modern advances. Our city needs this expansion and will find that it does not diminish the strong architectural history in downtown Yakima, but rather, supports our long-time appreciation for who we are as a community.
No one is trying bury our roots with skyscrapers. They're simply trying to blend the old with the new.
I want to thank all of those who are involved in the expansion for having the vision to do something truly great. You are bringing something to Yakima that we will be able to enjoy and appreciate for many, many years to come.
DANIELLE HEINEN
Yakima
PUBLISHED ON March 26, 2008
Yakima Herald-Rebublic
COUNCIL MOVES AHEAD ON STREET CLOSURE, PEDESTRIAN PLAZA
By CHRIS BRISTOL YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC
The Yakima City Council unanimously agreed Tuesday to begin the process of closing Third Street in front of the Capitol Theatre for the creation of a pedestrian plaza.
Sure to rank as a major downtown landmark, the proposed plaza is a key component in the historic theater's ambitious $15 million expansion plan, which also includes construction of two new buildings and the demolition of a third.
PUBLISHED ON November 20, 2007
Yakima Herald-Rebublic
Section: Opinion/Editorials
Capitol plans would be benefit
To the editor - Picking your battles properly can mean the difference of your voice having meaning or being seen as a bad joke. This is the case in reading the objection to the planned Capitol Theatre expansion by the "fledgling" Historic Preservation Commission. It's not like the Capitol is going to put a Vegas-style entrance or anything that wouldn't complement the style of the Capitol. I feel my grandfather and later the city in their rebuild acknowledged it's the right style for downtown and representative of our history.
Right up the street the classy Sullivan's building is falling to an ugly chain store on Yakima Avenue; now that's the end of a renaissance. At least Olive Garden tried a little to blend into our look. The Wilson building demolition trade for another form of existing downtown style is the best-case scenario for an old building, Sullivan's is the worst. If you want to drum up support, let's go after people who want to turn downtown into a strip mall. The Capitol just wants to highlight what we already have; that is truly preserving history.
FORBES MERCY
Yakima
PUBLISHED ON November 16, 2007
Yakima Herald-Rebublic
Section: Opinion/Editorials
Center aisle plea
To the editor - With the exciting plans for expanding the Capitol Theatre, I must ask if there is any thought of establishing a center aisle in the main theater.
The fact that it hasn't happened yet doesn't cancel the possibility of an emergency that would necessitate immediate evacuation of the theater. The current seating arrangement, with only side aisles, is a long-standing recipe for catastrophe.
Wouldn't this be a good time to correct a dangerous situation?
Ben Van Eaton
Yakima
PUBLISHED ON November 16, 2007
Yakima Herald-Rebublic
Section: Opinion/Editorials
Self-destruction
To the editor - I am appalled to read in the Nov. 7 Yakima Herald-Republic in "Theater expansion plan 'fluid,'" and "Downtown Walgreens moves forward," of the planned destruction of two more historic structures, the Wilson Building and the complex at Yakima and Seventh avenues. What is with the city that it continues to allow its architectural history to be destroyed?
Please refer to the book, "As the Valley Was," which I edited for Yakima Federal Savings and Loan in 1968 to see what Yakima used to look like: Beautiful old buildings that no longer exist, a continuing pattern of self-destruction.
And, while on my soapbox, one more comment: NIMBY works if you live in the Willow Lake area. But if, like me, your home is in the 44th/45th/Summitview area, it did not: The "re-creation of a lovely old neighborhood" envisioned by Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital is still just a vision, four or five years and holding. "The ordinances allow it" is the ongoing excuse for that as well, incidentally, as for the proposed Wal-Mart in West Valley.
JEANNE CRAWFORD
Yakima
PUBLISHED ON November 15, 2007
Yakima Herald-Rebublic
Section: Opinion/Editorials
Protect our history
To the editor - The Nov. 4 headline should have read: "Capitol gains - Our community loses another historic building."
As downtown Yakima's renaissance continues to build momentum, another old building becomes threatened, not by an ill-informed property owner or greedy builder, but by our Capitol Theatre.
Hidden within the ambitious expansion plans is unfortunately the end of the historic Wilson building. The theater manager wants to make improvements to complement the downtown remodel. But there is another equally important new movement in Yakima: historic preservation.
Most of the expansion plans are appropriate, including the rear staging and offices and the plaza-style Third Street. But the idea of destroying another building that possibly has a beautiful facade under its metal siding is a bad idea. Old photos reveal a fantastic looking building that could be renovated to complement the already restored historic neighboring structures. Restoration is often a process of discovery in which layers of additions must be removed to formulate a plan. We do not need a five-story reproduction of Seattle; our history is a more appropriate inspiration. The architect should find a way to restore the Wilson to its original grandeur, or have respect for preservation efforts.
Regardless, many precious gems have been lost because somebody said it wasn't possible to save them. The common thread most attractive cities across America have is that they have protected their history along with new developments. If we continue to destroy our history, Yakima will suffer from the loss of identity that these buildings provide.
Scott Charles Irons
Yakima
PUBLISHED ON November 12, 2007
Yakima Herald-Rebublic
Section: Opinion/Editorials
Hooray for Yakima
To the editor - I am so proud to come from Yakima! This is a community that moves an auto wrecking yard next door to our premier tourist draw, the Washington Wine Country. Napa should take a page from our book!
And how about those council members who protest closing off Third Street downtown to create a stunning pedestrian plaza in conjunction with expansions to the jewel of Yakima, the Capitol Theatre? Their complaint: We can't close Third Street because it appears the police wouldn't figure out other ways to get from Yakima Avenue to Chestnut in case of emergency. Since we keep cutting taxes in the name of fiscal responsibility, apparently the city cannot afford maps for the Yakima Police Department and hence the cops are unaware of alternate routes, specifically Second and Fourth streets.
Away from the downtown, we have a housing community that shudders at the thought of the Yakima Valley Technical Skills Center building next door. Yes, all those industrious students going to school to learn specific job skills are just the types to vandalize and spray graffiti. Better to put the school down by the new jail, a Dickensian message to our youth that if they fail, they'll end up over there in the Big House.
And now the coup de grace. A newly elected councilman and his wife demonstrate the kind of integrity voters are looking for: anonymous, unsubstantiated rumors and potshots on a blog. Wow! This place just gets better all the time.
Wendy Warren
Yakima
PUBLISHED ON November 9, 2007
Yakima Herald-Rebublic
Section: Opinion/Editorials
Leave it alone
To the editor - I read the Nov. 4 articles about the Capitol Theatre. After all the time and money that was spent restoring that beautiful building to its former glory, why would anyone want to change its appearance? Isn't history important anymore? In fact, I thought it was listed on the National Historic Register. Why would that have happened unless there was an expectation of keeping a semblance of the history of the building.
I am sure that I am not the only one out in the community at large that feels this would be a great desecration of a beautiful place.
Elizabeth Watkins
Yakima
PUBLISHED ON November 9, 2007
Yakima Herald-Rebublic
Section: Opinion/Editorial
Wilson is city history
To the editor - Re: The Nov. 4 article, "Wilson Building demolition has few detractors."
It's too bad the Capitol Theatre is not planning on incorporating the historic Wilson Building in its planned expansion. While not significant, this building is of the same era as its neighbors, the Capitol Theater and the Commercial Hotel, both of which have been renovated and are very much a part of downtown Yakima.
I realize that economics play a part in the decision of whether or not to use an old building, but what price is history worth? As one more piece of Yakima's past bites the dust, there is that much less for future generations to enjoy. What with the recent trend toward reusing old buildings (Sports Center, Talcott's Building, Old Colima Building, Seasons, YWCA, etc.) it is surprising that the Capitol Theatre board is not considering saving their own piece of history.
If the city allows this building to be torn down, not only is a piece of Yakima's past lost forever, but it is also a slap in the face to those business owners who have spent many thousands of dollars to renovate and preserve their historic buildings.
Bruce Newell
Yakima
PUBLISHED ON November 7, 2007
Yakima Herald-Rebublic
Section: Main/Home Front
Theatre Expansion Plan 'Fluid'
By LEAH BETH WARD YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC
Plans for a $15 million expansion of the Capitol Theatre "are still in a very fluid state," Steve Caffery, chief executive officer of the complex, told the Yakima City Council on Tuesday.
PUBLISHED ON November 6, 2007
Yakima Herald-Rebublic
Section: Opinion/Editorials
Capitol should anchor revitalized downtown
When thinking of a revitalized downtown Yakima, it's not difficult to envision the Capitol Theatre as a primary anchor, especially with ambitious, long-range upgrades and expansion being planned for that community treasure. But as much as we like the Capitol and what it can do for the community, let's make sure all the bases have been covered before signing off as a community on such an ambitious project.
PUBLISHED ON November 4, 2007
Yakima Herald-Rebublic
Section: Main/Home Front
Capitol Theatre poised for dramatic, $15 million expansion
By DAVID LESTER and CHRIS BRISTOL YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC
Yakima's Capitol Theatre is poised for an ambitious expansion that supporters say would boost the downtown renaissance by creating a new arts-based campus and replace the defunct Yakima Mall as the emotional and economic heart of the city.
PUBLISHED ON November 4, 2007
Yakima Herald-Rebublic
Section: Main/Home Front
Capitol Theatre -- Wilson Building demolition has detractors
By CHRIS BRISTOL YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC
Thanks to its Sputnik-era metal siding, the Wilson Building may be one of the homeliest buildings in downtown Yakima.
PUBLISHED ON November 4, 2007
Yakima Herald-Rebublic
Section: Main/Home Front
Capitol Theatre -- Details on expansion plans
Following are elements of the $15.2 million Capitol Theatre expansion proposal:
