Theater plans to buy West Chester armory
A local nonprofit group is set to buy the Pennsylvania National Guard armory in West Chester and convert it into a theater for film and live performances, officials announced Friday.
Pending legislative approval, Uptown! Entertainment Alliance would purchase the 10,900-square-foot armory for $760,000 from the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, officials said.
The nonprofit, which is dedicated to establishing a permanent theater in West Chester, would receive a low-interest loan to buy the property at 226 N. High St.
The group would launch a fundraising campaign to pay for the renovations needed to transform the nearly century-old building into an arts center.
The armory, built in 1916, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The National Guard troops stationed at the armory would move to the new Coatesville Readiness Center in Sadsbury.
State Sen. Andrew Dinniman (D., Chester) said he introduced a bill Friday to authorize the transfer.
"I am fully confident that we will get this bill through the legislature and signed by the governor," Dinniman said.
Contact Robert Moran at 215-854-5983, or bmoran@phillynews.com, or follow @RobertMoran215 on Twitter.
