The owner of the Crown Uptown Theater in east Wichita has filed for a demolition permit to tear down the historic building, after the City Council voted earlier this year to deny a request to expand the theater’s capacity.

The owner wanted to expand from 850 persons to a capacity that would be determined by the City Fire Marshal for special events. Nearby residents in the College Hill neighborhood raised concerns about parking, traffic and increased pedestrian activity.

The owner has now filed a wrecking permit through the Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department, and that began a review process that would delay any action for 30 days.  The City Council will consider extending that to 180 days during their next regular meeting on March 4th.

During the review process, the city’s preservation planner will work with the owner to provide alternatives to demolition, and the planner has asked for feedback and input.  An extension of the review period would allow additional time to determine whether the property is a significant historic community resource and should be listed on one or more registers of historic places. The demolition of a property on the Wichita, State, or National registers of historic places would require additional review and consideration. Planning staff has estimated that 180 days would be enough time for the property to be considered for, and listed on, the Wichita Register of Historic Places.

If the theater is listed on the Wichita or Kansas Register of Historic Places, there would be a review process for a demolition permit by the Wichita Historic Preservation Board, with the ability for an appeal to the City Council.

The Crown, at 3207 East Douglas, was built in 1928 and in the 1960s had the only Cinerama screen in Kansas.  In recent years the Crown has been a location for dinner theater shows and special events.