Renovation to bring new life, culture to New Bedford's historic Strand Theatre

The transformation of the historic Strand Theatre into a cultural center honoring the Cape Verdean residents of the city will be a celebration of the arts and the city's diverse cultures.

Boarded up since 1990 after it was damaged during a fire, plans for restoration of the former theater are progressing in New Bedford’s North End.

Since 1990, the nonprofit Cape Verdean Association in New Bedford (CVANB) started by first generation immigrants has been interested in transforming the original Vien’s Theatre into an arts, culture and humanities center for the celebration of Cape Verdean history, heritage and culture.

Why preserve the former theater?

Back in the day, vaudeville and comedy acts and silent films entertained residents and visitors at 1157 Acushnet Ave.

In time, the Cape Verdean Cultural Center will be filled with the sights and sounds of live concerts and performing arts events and other programs.

The Cape Verdean Association led by President Darlene Spencer is working toward that goal with help from its preservation partner, the Waterfront Historic Area League (WHALE).

“What we’re looking for is to offer the city a gathering place in the North End where people can come to celebrate Cape Verdean history, but any group will be invited to use the space by request,” Jan Baptist, vice president of the Cape Verdean Association, said. “We expect it to be inclusive of all the people in the city.”

She said it can also serve as a central South Coast location for Cape Verdeans in the diaspora from Cape Cod to Fall River, from Providence to Brockton and Taunton.

Inside, the Cultural Center will focus on cultural education, immigration services and translation, economic development services and programs for all ages and backgrounds, moving programs that are being offered off-site into new classroom space.

“There will be a bus drop-off for afterschool programming for kids or for programming during the day and when we’re having an event and people want to come to see it, buses are bringing people,” Baptist said.

What is the Strand Theatre?

The Strand was originally built in 1910. It is known as one of the only surviving theatres of its era in both the North End and in New Bedford. Many of its neighboring buildings were destroyed to make way for Interstate 195.

In 1950, the theater underwent a drastic renovation when E.M. Loew’s Theatres took over and modernized the building. Its original Italianate facade, now boarded up, was stripped and replaced with a modern entrance and lobby. The facade has been long since boarded up.

A stairway leads the way upstairs, closer to the charred ceiling of the old theater, remnants of a past fire.

It’s dark inside the Strand, but there are many changes to come, and the theater decorated on either side of the stage with cherubs dulled by years of neglect will be restored to its former glory.

What is WHALE's role?

With saving buildings as its primary mission, WHALE President Diana Henry said the nonprofit has been involved with many organizations in the city.

Henry said WHALE’s role as consultants for the Cape Verdean Association’s restoration of the Strand Theatre and neighboring Island Park is to work with the architect, engineers and the CVANB on final construction documents in preparation for going out to bid to general contractors.

“We continue to provide historic consulting services including ensuring the project meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historic Rehabilitation during the final design stages and through construction,” she said.  “We also assist with applying for State Historic Tax Credits as needed, and we also continue to provide services to track funding sources and continue to identify and assist in submitting grant applications.”

The project architect, Studio2Sustain, has the responsibility of ensuring compliance with all codes governing restoration of a historic structure.

With a grant writer and a part-time program director on board, they have written and received multiple grants, with WHALE securing $400,000 in Massachusetts tax credits and Community Preservation Act funding, Baptist said.

“That money will allow us to restore the theater to its historic beauty, and the CPA has been very helpful,” she said. “We’re getting ready to start rebuilding the facade, and that work will probably start in July.”

Restoration of the 9,000-square-foot theater will take place in five phases starting with the facade and structural supports. Baptist said the city’s permitting team for the Strand has indicated that the facade work can begin.

What will happen with the adjacent lot?

In 2019, the CVANB decided to purchase the vacant lot next door to create a new public park as an extension of the theater and call it Island Park. Baptist has been serving as part-time project manager, with grant writing one of her roles.

Baptist said it will cost an estimated $4.5 million for restoration of The Strand and $400,000 for the park project. Among the multiple funding sources that have provided funding are Community Preservation Act, Massachusetts Cultural Council, SouthCoast Community Foundation and Island Foundation.

The Cape Verdean Cultural Center and Island Park projects are on different timelines. Baptist said plans are in motion to level the field and add the infrastructure for Island Park in mid-May.

What is Island Park?

A large mural with vibrant colors celebrating the Cape Verdean culture visible on the side of the Cultural Center was created by local artist Eden Soares. Baptist said it’s part of the effort to keep the North End vibrant and the community engaged.

“It really fits in nicely with the TDI (transfer of development rights) initiative and how we can use the park to keep the North End vibrant,” she said.

Island Park will also feature concrete serpentine benches decorated with designs by local artists. The creative process will be an event in itself with a live installation by the artists. There’s also seating for game playing and solar lighting.

A water garden and a new stormwater management system to prevent runoff are enhancements designed to benefit the environment. The field will be strewn with shells.

Standard-Times staff writer Kathryn Gallerani can be reached at kgallerani@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter: @kgallreporter. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Former Strand Theatre to become Cape Verdean Cultural Center