A historic theater in the West End − once the heart of Black arts and culture in Cincinnati− is finally being redeveloped after 30 years.
The Regal Theater on Linn Street will soon become the Robert O'Neal Multicultural Arts Center, also known as ROMAC.
The Port, Sanders Development Group and 8K are expected to host a groundbreaking event for the project on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 11 a.m. at 1201 Linn St.
Mayor Aftab Pureval, Ohio State Sen. Catherine Ingram, and Galen Gordon of the West End Community Council are slated to attend.
Here's what's planned for the Regal Theater
Vacant for three decades, the 17,000-square-foot Regal Theater is a West End cornerstone that once served as a community gathering space, movie house and music venue. The 1,500-seat theater was built around 1908, and was listed
on the National Register of Historic Places in October 2023.
CEO and founder Toilynn O'Neal Turner is leading a renovation effort to transform the theater into a hub for African and African American arts and culture. It will be named after her father, Robert O'Neal, Cincinnati artist and activist.
The project team is planning a 20,000-square-foot addition to the property that will house an office and co-working space. It is expected to cost over $12 million.
The Hamilton County Landbank bought the Regal 2013 to stabilize the site before renovation.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Construction to start on new Black cultural hub at West End theater
