Name/Title
PhotographEntry/Object ID
2020.25.227Description
Circa 1905-1985
LACK OF MAINTENANCE
ORIGINAL CITY AUDITORIUM
402-424 North 4th Street
Demolished during Urban Renewal
https://www.stjosephmemorylane.com/4thstreet/north4th.htmlPhotograph Details
Subject
PhotographSubject Person or Organization
City AuditoriumContext
Circa 1905-1985
LACK OF MAINTENANCE
ORIGINAL CITY AUDITORIUM
402-424 North 4th Street
Demolished during Urban Renewal
The auditorium was not maintained, remodeled nor repaired on a regular basis. The photos below show that upkeep had not been performed. Rather than restore it, someone thought it was cheaper to just raze the building. The photos above were taken prior to it's demolition
Construction of the original auditorium began in 1905. The auditorium doors opened for business on March 1, 1909. This was the original city auditorium, it seated 6000 people
The auditorium was razed in May 1985
It was a very nostalgic, well constructed, historical and attractive building
However, over the years, the city did not do preventive maintainence and upkeep on the structure, they let it slowly deteriate
Rather than updating, repairing, renovating & repainting the old building that was loved by everyone, the city decided it would be more cost efficent to tear it down and replace it with a new modern civic arena which seated far less people
It turned out to be a big mistake as very few people like the new auditorium and they have a hard time getting big name attractions due to the small size of the new building
I hear that the city is now considering the construction of a new auditorium and possibly move the casino downtown to help increase downtown activity
