NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - The city of Norfolk has taken ownership of a century-old theater.
Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim tells The Virginian-Pilot (https://bit.ly/OcsV1T ) that acquiring the Wells Theatre is a natural step. He says the city already spends about $145,000 per year on the theater for maintenance and utilities.
Craver Investment Corp. in Durham, N.C., had owned the venue since 1935. The real estate holding company sold it to the Virginia Stage Company, which then gave it to the city.
A local couple donated the sale price to the stage company.
G. Rhodes Craver says the theater is a historic landmark that should be preserved. He says he wanted Norfolk and the Virginia Stage Company to have it.
Jake and Otto Wells built the Beaux-Arts-style theater and opened it in 1913.
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Information from: The Virginian-Pilot, https://pilotonline.com
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