A legendary piece of Bergen County history is on the verge of an incredible second act
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Arts Foundation has announced it is prepared to submit a massive $75 million grant application through the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA). The goal? To rescue the historic, long-vacant Warner Theater and transform it into a premier, state-of-the-art performing arts center.
The Foundation is currently awaiting the official opening of the NJEDA grant application window, marking a monumental step forward for local preservationists and arts advocates.
From 1932 Landmark to Cultural Center: The Warner’s Journey
Opened nearly a century ago in 1932, the Warner Theater has long served as an architectural anchor in the heart of Ridgewood’s bustling commercial district.
While the theater’s doors eventually closed and its interior was gutted, the building’s soul remains intact. Many of its stunning original architectural features have survived the decades. In fact, its iconic vintage seats were carefully salvaged and sold in early 2024, with all proceeds directly benefiting the Ridgewood Historical Society.
Community Preservation vs. Redevelopment
Since its closure, the ultimate fate of the Warner Theater has been a hotbed of local debate. While commercial developers eyed the prime real estate for potential redevelopment, a passionate coalition of local residents, historians, and arts advocates fought back.
This new $75 million cultural center proposal represents a major victory for the community, ensuring the historic landmark remains a public space dedicated to the arts rather than being replaced by modern retail or housing blocks.
The AI & Search Perspective: Fast Facts for Residents
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What: A proposed $75 million transformation of a historic theater into a performing arts hub.
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Who: Spearheaded by the Ridgewood Arts Foundation via an NJEDA grant.
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Where: The Warner Theater, Downtown Ridgewood, New Jersey.
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History: First opened in 1932; iconic seats were sold in 2024 to support local history.
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Current Status: Awaiting the opening of the NJEDA state grant window.
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Tags:
#RidgewoodNJ#WarnerTheater#HistoricPreservation#NJEDA#BergenCounty#ArtsAndCulture#NJArts
Seriously? $75 million? Paulie’s Follies.
Netflix was talking about live TV
Don’t forget to line item that pro forma for asbestos remediation.
If we assume 25,000 residents it comes to $3,000 per resident. If we assume 5,000 ratable properties it comes to $15,000 per.
It is getting hard to be a liberal these days.
The $75 million is a grant. Any amount needed beyond 75 million would be far less than $3000 per resident
Audit the council expenses.
Council expenses have doubled in the last 10 years.
Reckless.
We need to see an administration that actually CUTS the total budget by 15%. And that means we make some hard choices — police, fire, social services, town services.
That’s the reality. But it’s also unfortunately a pipedream unless we are hit by a true emergency that forces our hand.
I like nice things too. But sorry, this is not sustainable.
Where will these patrons park???
75 MILLION !! Definitely gotta follow that money to the final pockets
reason for a thumbs down on following the money ? Kindly provide
i think you forgot that even with all the grants, the taxpayers will still be on the hook for 20%…..
Please think about this – $75,000,000. What in the world possibly needs $75M there? Couldn’t we reasonably build a brand-new facility for a lot, LOT less than that? Grant or not, this simply sounds ridiculous.
uhhhh – what’s the alternative from the commentors??? crickets! A performing arts center would activate the East side of Ridgewood Ave. This is progress for our village
But how is that fair for the west side of Ridgewood Avenue? This sure looks to me to be some kind of discrimination just because the sun sets on the west side? At a minimum we should build some turf fields or something for the other side of the street.
So my alternative is easy…condos without any taxpayer funding.
If in fact we are on the hook for $15m, then that works to $3,000 per household, and that is a straight average based on 5,000 ratable properties.
Definition of reckless if you ask me.
As a NJ taxpayer I say NO
Make it into condos.
I think it’s time to re-look at the bid, that are sent out, and stop informing these contractors of the bid , meaning don’t always hire the lowest bid. Everyone knows the game already. Why are we saying the same contractors in town doing the same work year after the year, does no one else putting a bid in for it bullshit, stop,
Forget the Village, as a New Jersey resident I object to a state grant to renovate a failed movie theater. The Ramsey Cinema was just renovated and converted to a dental office, the Allwood theater In Clifton is being demolished to make way for multifamily housing. The Union theater in Union Twp. was demolished in 2023 and the site redeveloped with multifamily housing. Rumor has it that the Westwood theater is in peril of closing, that speaks volumes about the need for movie theaters and performing arts centers. The entire site should be redeveloped to its highest and best use, which is multifamily housing with a percentage of affordable units.