Engineer finds several safety concerns in Auburn Avenue Theater

All scheduled performances are canceled.

By Henry Stewart-Wood • February 10, 2022 4:33 pm
The Auburn Avenue Theater sits vacant and boarded up on Jan. 3, 2022, after being condemned due to safety concerns stemming from the demolition of the Max House Apartments complex next door. Photo by Henry Stewart-Wood/Sound Publishing
The Auburn Avenue Theater sits vacant and boarded up on Jan. 3, 2022, after being condemned due to safety concerns stemming from the demolition of the Max House Apartments complex next door. Photo by Henry Stewart-Wood/Sound Publishing

The Auburn Avenue Theater will remain closed throughout the remainder of the season because of concerns over the safety of the building, according to the City of Auburn.

In December 2021, after the Max House Apartments complex was demolished, code enforcement condemned the Auburn Avenue Theater out of an abundance of caution.

The city subsequently hired a structural engineer to evaluate the building’s structural integrity and make recommendations to the city. The report is complete and outlines structural damage that could be unsafe for occupants of the building, according to the city.

The report notes several issues with the building that, if not addressed, could pose a potential risk to occupants of the theater. Due to this, all scheduled programs through August 2022 are canceled.

Ticket holders will be contacted individually about the specifics of each event — whether it is moved, postponed or canceled, according to the city.

The city is working with its insurance provider to determine the next steps toward making a claim. After that, the city plans on seeking input from the public regarding the future of the theater.