May 4, 2008
Gravestone May Mark Cite of Former Columbia Music Hall
Photo By Claudette Ferguson
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Entertainment Editor
Portsmouth, OH (HNN) – A nearly century old movie house in Portsmouth, Ohio has fallen to the wrecker’s ball. Last minute attempts by manager Lee Scott to step to the plate failed. The gutted building had been cleaned and awaiting possible reconstruction following the Nov 2007 fire set with an incendiary device.
The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives concluded that arson started the fire, but despite a trip back to Portsmouth, Ohio, for additional interviews, no suspect has been arrested.
The inferno began less than 24 hours after The Portsmouth Times printed an article stating that Scott had declined to pay so-called “protection” money to the city’s police chief. Later, Jeff Barron, the reporter who wrote the story, was dismissed by the Times for accurately reporting a drug transaction to which a major advertiser complained.
Meanwhile, the owners received insurance money, part of which went to paying off an outstanding loan to the city. As efforts to rebuild began, the city demanded that the Scotts post approximately $300,000 in cash with the city auditor to ensure the process would not damage the city with cleanup costs. According to an article in the Shawnee Sentinel, the city relented after Lee Scott stressed no other builder had been forced to post such cash with the auditor before beginning construction work within Portsmouth.
However, according to Austin Leedom’s article, continued obstacles eventually forced Scott to abandon reconstruction.
It remains unclear whether the front façade of the Columbia will also come down. The front balcony, restrooms and entrance were structurally sound despite the gutted auditorium and stage.
When the Columbia Music Hall reopened in 2007 following years of renovations and private investment, the family friendly performance facility had averaged 500-700 people on Friday and Saturday nights. Alcoholic beverages were not sold.
Scott said that something smaller may be built on the site, but until then has stated he will exercise first amendment rights and put a grave marker on the space.
The Columbia had been the site too of the showing of Roy Rogers films commemorating the city’s Hollywood western icon. Rogers (1911-1998) was born in Cincinnati, but moved with his family to Portsmouth as a child.
As early as this week, an item had been on the city council agenda to discuss the city or perhaps another entity overseeing the rebuilding. If the property had passed into the hands of a 501.3( C) corporation, its non profit status would have permitted application too for federal and state grants as well as tax exempt donations.
E-mail HNN Yahoo Google
Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
 |
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Entertainment Editor
Portsmouth, OH (HNN) – A nearly century old movie house in Portsmouth, Ohio has fallen to the wrecker’s ball. Last minute attempts by manager Lee Scott to step to the plate failed. The gutted building had been cleaned and awaiting possible reconstruction following the Nov 2007 fire set with an incendiary device.
 |
.jpg) |
.jpg) |
.jpg) |
The inferno began less than 24 hours after The Portsmouth Times printed an article stating that Scott had declined to pay so-called “protection” money to the city’s police chief. Later, Jeff Barron, the reporter who wrote the story, was dismissed by the Times for accurately reporting a drug transaction to which a major advertiser complained.
Meanwhile, the owners received insurance money, part of which went to paying off an outstanding loan to the city. As efforts to rebuild began, the city demanded that the Scotts post approximately $300,000 in cash with the city auditor to ensure the process would not damage the city with cleanup costs. According to an article in the Shawnee Sentinel, the city relented after Lee Scott stressed no other builder had been forced to post such cash with the auditor before beginning construction work within Portsmouth.
However, according to Austin Leedom’s article, continued obstacles eventually forced Scott to abandon reconstruction.
It remains unclear whether the front façade of the Columbia will also come down. The front balcony, restrooms and entrance were structurally sound despite the gutted auditorium and stage.
When the Columbia Music Hall reopened in 2007 following years of renovations and private investment, the family friendly performance facility had averaged 500-700 people on Friday and Saturday nights. Alcoholic beverages were not sold.
Scott said that something smaller may be built on the site, but until then has stated he will exercise first amendment rights and put a grave marker on the space.
The Columbia had been the site too of the showing of Roy Rogers films commemorating the city’s Hollywood western icon. Rogers (1911-1998) was born in Cincinnati, but moved with his family to Portsmouth as a child.
As early as this week, an item had been on the city council agenda to discuss the city or perhaps another entity overseeing the rebuilding. If the property had passed into the hands of a 501.3( C) corporation, its non profit status would have permitted application too for federal and state grants as well as tax exempt donations.
E-mail HNN Yahoo Google
Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
