The movement to save the Historic Terrace Theatre continues to gain ground. On August 5th It was announced last night that the Save the Historic Terrace Theatre group has reached another milestone in their efforts to preserve this piece of Robbinsdale’s past.
At their bi-monthly public meeting, the Board of Save the Historic Terrace Theatre announced that they have completed the Determination of Eligibility process, and that the Terrace does indeed qualify to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The theater had originally been deemed eligible in 2004, but the eligibility lapsed after the 10 year term. Renewing the eligibility gives the current movement added momentum in their attempt to preserve, and eventually reopen, the Terrace.
Denis Gardner, National Register Historian for the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office, noted that the Terrace is “one of the most distinctive buildings in Robbinsdale”. He went on to praise the architects Liebenberg and Kaplan as “the Upper Midwest’s most prolific theater design firm during the early and middle decades of the twentieth center”. He also offered praise to the Terrace itself, stating that “the Terrace Theater may be viewed as a culmination of the team’s considerable theater-design experience and talents”.
David Leonhardt, Chair of the Save the Historic Terrace Theatre Board, was extremely happy with Mr. Gardner’s statements. “We always knew that the Historic Terrace Theatre was a building of importance to more than just the citizens of Robbinsdale”, Leonhardt stated. “To have that confirmed by an outside agency is a wonderful validation of our efforts. This determination is a big step for us in our preservation efforts. We look forward to continuing our forward momentum.”