With the recent removal of its marquee, the Auburn Avenue Theater has visibly reached the end of its long life.
Look for the complete demolition of the landmark in the coming weeks.
Built in 1926, the building was originally used as a bus depot, and later a movie theater and then a dinner theater. The city of Auburn entered into a lease in 2007 with the former owners, the Douglas family, which had operated the dinner theater.
The city is in the preliminary stages of planning for a new theater complex. The plans encompass the property on which the Auburn Avenue Theater has stood as well as the now-vacant property on which the old Max House Apartments and associated street-level businesses stood until destroyed by fire in July 2021.
Early drawings of the future complex envision a two-story theater extending to the corner of East Main and Auburn Avenue, about 25 percent larger than the old theater with additional seating. Hired by the city, the company Rivers Edge Environmental Services is handling demolition.
The front of the former Auburn Avenue Theater, without the marquee. Courtesy photo
