Hearing On Madison Movie Theater Set For March

MADISON, NJ - The weather-related reprieve is over, as the hearing on the possible demolition of the Madison Movie Theater has been rescheduled for the Historic Preservation Commission meeting on Tuesday, March 12.

Saxum Real Estate, the property owner, will present their plans for the property at 7:30 p.m. in the Borough Council Chambers on the 2nd floor of Hartley Dodge Memorial. The meeting is open to the public.

The future of 14 Lincoln Place property has been the subject of much debate after Saxum Real Estate purchased the building. Locals were surprised when Bow Tie Cinemas unexpectedly shuttered its doors in May of 2017. The Madison movie theater, last owned and operated by Bow Tie Cinemas, had shown movies for over 90 years. Bow Tie purchased the theater in 2013, and upgraded the projectors to digital and and added stadium seating.

In January Saxum submitted plans to the Madison Land Use Office for the redevelopment of the theater site. According to Madison Mayor Robert Conley, the application is similar to the concept that was presented last year to the Madison Historic Preservation Commission and included a mix of residential and commercial.

The commercial includes retail and a single 90-seat theater, the concept had shown two, 45-seat theaters, Conley said.

The plans will be heard by the Planning Board to be scheduled once the application is deemed complete. Since the application calls for the demolition of a building in the historic district they also need to appear in front of the Historic Preservation Commission, Conley said.P

(Photo courtesy of Google Earth)

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