Demolition Derby

by Daniel Brook

The Goldenberg Group’s demolition permit for the shuttered Sameric Theatre was set to expire last week. But just as preservationists were about to breathe a sigh of relief, they learned that the Blue Bell-based real estate developer, which owns the Chestnut Street movie palace (formerly the Boyd), had renewed its demolition permit for another six months.

Friends of the Boyd, a nonprofit group hoping to restore the theater to its Roaring '20s art deco glory, was displeased by the decision to renew. "We are disappointed," said Howard Haas, who heads the group.

Goldenberg spokesperson Harriet Lessy says the real estate company is just keeping its options open. "It doesn't mean anything," she says. "They continue to wish to turn it into a terrific entertainment venue. That's their first choice. I don't think there's any reason for [Friends of the Boyd] to be concerned."

But the Friends remain concerned. "Goldenberg's renewing the permit casts a shadow over the future of the Sameric theater," says Haas. "The Goldenberg Group is so strident that they wish to restore and reopen the theater as a first-class showplace that we don't understand why they bothered to renew the permit. We are confused [but we remain] eager to work with the Goldenberg Group if they do decide to restore the theater. We know that such arrangements are often public-private partnerships."

Haas says his group is currently working on a business plan for the theater that would allow it to be used for both movie screenings and the performing arts. It is also raising money for an architectural feasibility study to determine the costs of restoring the theater.

Hope Floats

Engineering students from around the country gathered in Philadelphia last weekend to race student-designed concrete canoes (yes, they float; no, I can’t explain why). Drexel University hosted the competition, which culminated in a race in the lake at FDR Park.

The students designed the boats and paddled them in the competition, which tested both physical strength and design ability.

Canoe designs varied greatly. One boat, designed by a team from the University of Oklahoma, sported a cone-like structure at the front. "That prevents water from coming into the boat," explained graduating senior Joey Dunaway.

The University of Wisconsin ended up taking top prizes. Host Drexel finished in 15th place out of 24 teams.