A nonprofit bought the landmark Metro Theater after receiving financial support from Gov. Kathy Hochul, the State Senate and Steven Spielberg’s foundation.
The landmark institution along the Broadway corridor of Manhattan is set to be renovated and reopened by this new non-profit organization.
The Metro Theater in New York City has been purchased by the newly formed nonprofit Upper West Side Cinema Center for $6.9 million.
The UWS Cinema Center (UWSCC), a 501(c)(3) organization, is forging ahead to buy the Metro Theater on Broadway at 99th Street, to preserve the property’s landmarked façade and transform the space into a nonprofit, five-screen cinema arts and education center,
UWS Cinema Center managed to get a signed contract from the Bialek family in mid-October after reaching its first fundraising goal of $100,000 for the deposit. The money was raised in just two weeks from more than 100 local neighbors and friends–a clear sign of neighborhood support for this project.
Now, in its second month, the non-profit group has managed to raise just under $4M, including a $1M pledge by the Martell-Klingenstein Foundation, a $2M pledge by an anonymous donor, and a $500K pledge from Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal for emergency funding.
UWSCC still needs to raise the balance of the final purchase price, $6.936 million, by January 10, 2025. The group is reaching out to everyone and anyone who loves film, understands the value this cinema center would bring to the neighborhood, or has a strong appreciation for preserving this historic landmark. Plus, this would be the only non-profit cinema center in NYC that offers a full, dedicated educational and community program. (See uwscinema.org/education). As City Councilman Shaun Abreu notes, “The Metro Theater is more than just a building; it’s a cultural touchstone for the Upper West Side and a reminder of the power of cinema to bring people together. The vision for the Metro’s revival as a non-profit cinema and educational center is inspiring—it’s about reclaiming a piece of our history while creating a space for future generations to gather, learn, and connect.”
UWSCC is seeking major donors who can make significant leadership gifts and might be interested in various naming opportunities. In addition to major gifts, donations of any size are welcome and encouraged, as they signify to larger donors that this initiative has enthusiastic community support. Until the end of the year, there is a special incentive: donate $2,500 and get a NAMED DREAM SEAT! You even get to pick the location. All donations are 100% tax deductible. If the overall purchase of the building does not go through, you have still earned a tax deduction; if it goes through, you have earned a tax deduction PLUS a plaque on a future seat of your choice in one of the five theaters.
“This is a real West Side Story,” says UWS Cinema Center cofounder Ira Deutchman. “Six of the seven Board members are long-time Upper West Siders who are passionate about the neighborhood.” He points out that “almost one-quarter of the monies raised have come in small donations from neighbors; the fundraising has been a true community effort.” Helping that effort is the community advocacy group, New Friends of Metro Theater, which gave UWSCC its first full-fledged endorsement last July.
Deutchman is well-known in the independent film world as a producer, marketer, distributor, exhibitor and consultant. He is also the director of the documentary, “Searching for Mr. Rugoff,” and Emeritus Professor in the School of the Arts at Columbia University, where he was the Chair of the Film Program from 2011-2015. UWS Cinema Center cofounder and Harlem resident, Adeline Monzier, is currently a guest programmer at Metrograph downtown and the founder of the Harlem film series Uptown Flicks. She also organizes the year-round student screenings at Film at Lincoln Center, formerly she served as the U.S. representative of Unifrance and oversaw the Rendez-Vous with French Cinema festival in partnership with Film at Lincoln Center
