Royal Oak​'s Historic Main Art Theatre Could Be Torn Down

ROYAL OAK, MI — The historic Main Art Theater in Royal Oak could be torn down and replaced with a new mixed-use building, providing commercial and retail space.

City officials submitted plans from a developer to build a new 71-foot building with 9,200 square feet of commercial space for restaurants and retailers, with the higher level floors including office space and residential units.

The historic theater closed last summer amid the COVID-19 pandemic, when its marquee said, "Landlord kicked us out. It's been a fun ride. ... RIP 1941-2021." The theater was known for producing independent film, such as indie and international films.

Since that time, some of the theater's biggest fans started a group dedicated to saving the historic theater at 118 N Main St., where it's been since it opened in 1940. The newly created nonprofit, Friends of Main Art, has grown and includes a large social media presence with over 1,700 Facebook followers.

"We as a community have an opportunity to preserve this important cultural landmark and we can’t let it pass without doing everything we can to ensure that these films light up the screen at the Main Art once again." Friends of the Main Art President Jason Krzysiak said.

Krzysiak also said the group talked with the developer about placing a smaller cinema inside the new building, but the idea was presented in current construction plans for the new building.

The group also encouraged people from the community to attend its "Save The Main" Rally scheduled for Saturday, April 9th at 2 p.m. in front of the theater. City officials will discuss the proposal in a meeting on April 12. The group also encouraged supporters to attend and speak during public comment.