Brighton DDA Survey Supports Proposed Theater Brighton DDA Survey Supports Proposed Theater

4/15/14 - A study has determined that there is a market for a theater in downtown Brighton that would serve as a venue for live performances. A presentation was made to the Brighton Downtown Development Authority today on a just-completed study of live performance venues in a 50-mile radius of Brighton. City intern Adam Kokenakes says the marketing study determined there is a “niche” for a multi-purpose theater such as the one envisioned for downtown Brighton. The study included such aspects as the physical buildings, type of seating, ticket prices, and whether food was available on site. Kokenakes, a graduate student at the University of Michigan in the School of Architecture and Urban Planning, tells WHMI the theater in Brighton would be for music shows, live theater productions, lectures, and children’s programs. The building, costing an estimated $2.3 million, would be constructed on property next to the Ciao Amici Restaurant. Kokenakes says the competition for such a theater would come from cities like Ann Arbor, which has Hill Auditorium, the Power Center, and smaller venues such as The Ark. Competition would also come from Chelsea, which has movie actor Jeff Daniels’ Purple Rose Theater. However, the Purple Rose is much smaller than the one proposed for Brighton, with a capacity of less than 170 seats, compared to about 300 for Brighton's. DDA Director Matt Modrack says Brighton’s theater would have retractable seats which could be quickly stacked next to the back wall for special events requiring more floor space, such as children’s shows. Modrack says having a theater in downtown Brighton would further enhance Brighton’s growing reputation as a regional destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment. He says it would also support local businesses and promote the performing arts and culture in the Brighton area. Modrack says one issue that will have to be resolved beforehand is parking. He says the new parking lot scheduled to be built this year just west of the CSX railroad tracks will help, but more parking is needed closer to the proposed theater. (TT)