Arts & Entertainment

Theater Coming to High Street

A local entertainment alliance plans to convert the Pennsylvania National Guard Armory to a theater.

Looks like West Chester will, finally, be getting a permanent home for the arts.

On Friday, state Sen. Andy Dinniman and Uptown! Entertainment Alliance president Linda Foster announced the organization had reached an agreement to acquire the Pennsylvania National Guard Armory and convert it into a theater.

“The arts have been a pivotal part of West Chester’s redevelopment, and now thanks to the work of the Uptown! Entertainment Alliance and so many others, the arts will have a permanent home right here in downtown West Chester,” Dinniman said from the Armory steps, according to a press release.

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Foster added that the organization, a non-profit volunteer group of local residents dedicated to creating a permanent theater in the borough, has procured the necessary resources to acquire the Armory and will soon be kicking off a capital campaign to fund the renovation of the 226 North High Street property.

"It isn't just about bringing a theater to the community," Foster said at the gathering, "it is about bringing the community together and creating a sense of belonging."

Find out what's happening in West Chesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Alliance reached agreement to acquire the 10,900-square-foot building for $760,000, under the stipulation that it be maintained and preserved in accordance with historic standards. The National Guard unit currently stationed at the armory is set to move into the new Coatesville Readiness Center in Sadsbury this fall.


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