Original article posted by The Chronicle-News on January, 3, 2019 and updated March 4, 2020. Read full article here: www.thechronicle-news.com
By Steve Block
Trinidad’s Mayor Phil Rico announced on Thursday, December 27 that the city had purchased the historic Fox – West Theatre, located at 423 W. Main St. The purchase was made possible with $200,000 from History Colorado and the Colorado State Historical Fund, and $75,000 in city Capital Improvement Project funds.
Included in the deal could be a pre-development agreement with Urban Neighborhoods, Inc., a Denver redevelopment firm that purchased an option to buy the theatre in 2016, though that pre-development agreement has yet to be finalized.City leaders believe the classic theatre is a major addition to the city’s current plan to become a major arts community on the national horizon.
Originally opened in 1908 and previously owned and cared for by the pioneering Sawaya and Hadad families, the theatre enhanced the life experiences of several generations, but was shuttered in 2013. Its spacious and glamorous design dominates the west end of Trinidad’s historic Main Street. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as an anchor property in the El Corazon de Trinidad District downtown.
