The Massena Arts and Theater Association, Inc. (MATA) closed on its purchase of the historic Massena Theatre from MPG Development, LLC on June 1st. A combined grant/loan package from the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) and the SeaComm Federal Credit Union made this transfer possible.
Lynn Fountain, Board member and Secretary of MATA, provided pro bono, legal services to MATA in its negotiations with the IDA, and Eric Gustafson, attorney for SeaComm, also provided free legal services on this real estate deal.
Closed since the early 1990s, the renovation of the Theatre will provide a much needed boost to the overall revitalization of Massena’s downtown. Current plans include restoring the approximately 800-seat theater as a venue that will offer small theatrical productions, musical performances, movies, and other cultural and entertainment events.
Performances at this restored, historic theatre will also add to the regional inventory of tourist activities.
MATA, in collaboration with other regional theater companies such as Community Performance Series (CPS) and Ogdensburg Command Performance, hopes to create a “corridor” of cultural and theatrical venues in the region.
Formed in 2013, MATA is a registered 501(c)(3), not-for-profit corporation. Updates on the progress of the theater project can be found at http://www.massenadowntowntheatre.com. Interested parties are also able to donate online using this website. All donations are tax deductible.