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Paradise Theater may be saved after all

July 2, 2010 | 6 comments

Former Rosebud Cinema Drafthouse owner Jay Hollis has purchased the Paradise Theater, but the building's future remains murky and a raze-or-repair order is still in effect.

West Allis Development Director John Stibal said the city is waiting to see what Hollis will do. Stibal said plans could include something similar to the Rosebud, but Hollis has the building listed as being for sale.

Stibal said the building is now in the name of Hollis' wife.

Hollis would not comment on the transaction when reached for comment Monday.

The city granted Hollis a six-month extension on the raze-or-repair order, in the hopes progress will be made on renovations. But West Allis officials won't hesitate to act sooner than six months if the building continues to sit idle and deteriorate, Stibal said.

The Paradise Theater, 6229 W. Greenfield Ave., has fallen badly into disrepair to the point the city's Building Inspection Department issued the order in the spring.

Hollis expressed interest in the buying the Paradise Theater last winter, but plans back then did not materialize.

Hollis opened Wauwatosa's Rosebud Cinema, where movie-goers can relax on sofas and drink beer while watching films, in 1999. He sold the business in 2007.

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  1. Please burn that whole corner down and start from scratch. The area is filled with white trash and loser renters that do not care about anything, the new condos are a nice addition but I think we need to have something nice on that corner as the first thing people see when coming into the neighborhood
  2. This article seems extremely bias against Hollis. Why doesn't Stible stop "waiting to see what Hollis will do" and start asking Hollis how he can help him save this city treasure? What kind of Development Director do we have here? Stible doesn't seem too keen on seeing Hollis succeed. Why is that? Is he holding out for something or someone else? Hollis turned around the Rosebud. We should get behind this guy and offer him all the help we can. Wake up West Allis!
  3. This really doesn't sound promising as far as the renovation; it's just too tentative. Despite my attachment to the Paradise building and its potential, the City has to put in some deadlines. The building is deteriorating daily! It has been an eyesore ever since former Supervisor Agnos stuck his ugly blue sign on the front facade. Maybe it's time to "fish or cut bait." The church remained there way too long despite their many promises of development. Mr Hollis shouldn't be given the same chances and leeway. Although I am not particularly a Stibal fan, in this case I'm supportive.

    Once bitten twice shy!
  4. Fish or cut bait ?! Looks like the City will waste this opportunity as well. Who are they going to get to invest in this dicey neighborhood? We need grassroots developers like Hollis - they're the only ones who get anything done. Guys like Stiple scare the fishermen away. I don't see anyone else stepping up. This town needs to get behind that property now. We've been on a Downbound Train for years...

    Screw it, I'm moving to Cudahy!
  5. I mean it....

    I'm going.....
  6. Dissilusioned (sic) - I think that the City has to be very, very, skeptical of any promised rehab of this building. I wish the Hollis's luck and hope their building can be restored. But I'll believe it when I see it. There's just been too much screwing around with this gem. For my esthetics, just get on with it or remove it...
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