Madison Movie Theater Gains Temporary Reprieve

MADISON, NJ - Mother Nature issued a temporary reprieve for the historic Madison Movie Theater as Tuesday night's Historic Preservation Commission hearing on the possible demolition of the building was cancelled due to inclement weather.

Saxum Real Estate, the property owner, was poised to present 7 p.m. on Feb. 12 in Council Chambers on the second floor of the Hartley Dodge Memorial Building but officials called it off citing "the weather emergency and the safety of residents."

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.

A new date for the Historic Preservation Commission hearing has not been set.

(Photo courtesy of Google Earth)

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