Historic VB theater faces demolition

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - In its day, the Roland Theatre in Virginia Beach was a popular spot. But now, its days appear to be numbered.

What some call an historic building, others refer to as a dilapidated structure that needs to come down. Looking a little like the Alamo--after the attack--the long vacant Roland Theater is showing its age.

Built in the 1920s, it was once a popular Oceanfront movie theater. Several decades ago it became a playhouse for stage productions, more recently a bar and now it is a vacant building, falling apart.

"There's very little history left," said Mac Rawls, with the Virginia Beach Historic Preservation Commission.

Rawls is Chairman of the Historic Preservation Commission. He would like to see the old theater renovated, the building restored.

"This is one of the last historic buildings in the resort area," said Rawls. "We have very few that are left. It's also one that has some significant architecture although it's a little bit hard to identify today."

According to city officials, the property is owned by Mr. Paul Dugas in San Diego. City officials and neighboring businessmen say Dugas has done nothing to maintain the building for at least 10 years.

Last month some of the building fell to the sidewalk forcing the city to close part of the walkway. In fact, Virginia Beach recently won a judgment against Dugas for violating building codes and standards giving the city legal right to demolish the property.

"As we tear down these building we lose our personality," Rawls said. "We lose connection with our past."

But preservationist aren't the only ones concerned about the prospect of tearing down this old building. One local businessman down here has his own concerns but for a different reason.

Dough Boy's Pizza is right next door to the crumbling theater.

"I'm worried it might fall on my roof and the other is I know it's going to hurt commerce during that process," said Dough Boy's owner George Kotarides Jr.