Even as the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Butler receives restitution following an incident of vandalism at the Penn Theater earlier this year, conversations continue about the facility’s future.
As part of their sentence for burglary and criminal mischief in January, three juvenile males and their guardians have been ordered by Juvenile Court to pay a total of just over $5,000.
Even though the amount of damage done was about $16,000, there is a cap on parental liability and the authority would have to attempt to sue for negligence if they wanted to try for more restitution. Recent patching of leaking spots in the roof is holding but the money will be needed to pay for continued maintenance needs.
The authority purchased the Theater through an agreement with the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation at a cost of $250,000. An additional $15,000 in interest is added yearly. The Authority has been unable to make payments through this agreement for eight years.
The Authority plans on continuing conversations with city officials about the possibility of condemning the facility in order to get assistance with tearing it down. The businesses operating in the two storefronts of the theater have been notified of its condition.
