Huntington, Cabell County

When it opened in 1928, the ornate 3,000 seat Keith-Albee cost $2 million to erect. This spectacular movie palace was one of three atmospheric theaters that designer Thomas Lamb worked on simultaneously, the others being Proctor's 58th Street in New York City (demolished) and the Keith-Albee in the NYC suburb of Flushing, Queens (currently vacant & awaiting its fate). Architects who designed “atmospherics” borrowed freely from various historical motifs and employed ostentatious ornamentation, because their mandate was to provide an opera house for the masses.
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A recent fire was just one of many challenges this movie palace has faced over the years, including floods, mounting financial problems, and the wear and tear of time. Huntington’s Keith-Albee could be forced to close and potentially fall victim to the wrecker’s ball as the result of a competing 14-screen stadium multiplex cinema that is part of the Pullman Square project being built one block away. Theater owners have said they will attempt to keep the Keith-Albee open, but financial necessity could force an eventual sale and possible closure if it is not profitable.

All Counties, Statewide

Our neighborhood schools are in peril. According to Challenge West Virginia, a statewide organization committed to maintaining and improving small community schools, West Virginia closed 324 schools between 1990 & 2002, with a higher percentage (6.8%) of funds ($129 million) going to busing students than any other state. Many old schools have been resurrected through adaptive use to become community centers or for other public uses, but scores of others sit vacant and abandoned because rehabilitation is either deemed too costly or they are ill-suited for reuse in communities with dwindling populations. The most desirable alternative to closure of our important neighborhood institutions would be to keep them open and functioning as schools, a scenario that is not always possible in the face of declining student enrollments and mounting maintenance costs. It is therefore important for civic leaders, government officials, developers, and local residents to pull together and seek creative and compatible alternative uses for these landmark buildings. In so doing, we can hope to avoid the abandonment and demolition of neighborhood schools that are crucial to maintaining the health and vitality of our communities. 

Fayetteville, Fayette County

Located on the edge of town, the Fleshman/Clark farm was the scene of the Battle of Fayetteville (10 September 1862) and contains a Civil War cemetery with at least 24 American soldiers. Paramount Development Corp. has approached the City of Fayetteville and asked that they rezone the 60-acre farm for commercial use. On the site Paramount intends to build a Wal-Mart, Lowe's, and 13 smaller businesses. Opponents have asked the city to deny the rezoning request, but officials voted to approve a zoning change. Local opponents fear the shopping center would disturb the site, traffic and noise would destroy their quiet neighborhood, and the new stores would have a negative impact on existing businesses. While facing a possible court challenge, the developer is continuing initial site preparations. Numerous studies, including a cultural resource assessment, have already been undertaken.