Spokane7
59°
February 16, 2012 in City, Seven, Region
Bing Crosby Theater sold to Spokane businessman Dicker
The historic Bing Crosby Theater, a landmark downtown entertainment venue, has been purchased by Spokane businessman Gerald Dicker.
Dicker’s GVD Commercial Properties, Inc. recently bought the property at the corner of Sprague Avenue and Lincoln from Mitch Silver, who purchased the building from Metropolitan Mortgage and Securities in 2004.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Dicker owns or shares ownership in a number of local properties, including the Ruby Hotel on the corner of Lincoln and First.
In a release, Dicker said the theater will continue in its role as an entertainment facility. He said GVD will make substantial upgrades and renovations including repairing the building’s roof.
The name will remain the Bing Crosby Theater. Michael Smith, the theater manager for the past 25 years, will continue in that job, Dicker said.
Dicker said he intends, with help from Gonzaga University and local citizen groups, to expand its role as a central spot to display photos and memorabilia of Bing Crosby’s career.
Crosby, before he became a household name, performed at the original theater while still living in Spokane.
Two years ago, Dicker purchased a rare collection of 5,000 Bing Crosby photos and made them available to the theater. Some of those photos have been regularly displayed in the theater.
The theater, originally called the Clemmer when built in 1915, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
It later was known as the State Theater, and then as the Met.
Garco awarded $35.8 million Joint Base Lewis-McChord contract 
UvulaCrusher on February 16 at 12:39 p.m.
Mr. Dicker is making a really great decision by NOT changing the theater manager.
Michael Smith is a class act, consummate professional and extraordinary human being!
The_Seer on February 16 at 1:17 p.m.
Uvula: You have obviously never worked with Mr. Smith trying to promote an event.
The Met is empty more than 300 days and nights a year. I’d hardly label that as a successful manager.
dflaplante on February 16 at 6:03 p.m.
RE: the seer:
Mr. Seer.
I HAVE worked with Mike Smith to promote an event.
I agree TOTALLY with THE CRUSHER!
Mike Smith is very easy to work with and has his finger on the pulse of the performing arts/concert curcuit.
We VERY MUCH appreciate his professional service!
spokane_boy on February 16 at 6:08 p.m.
“The Seer” you are not! What an utterly untrue and disparaging comment. “Seer,” you have absolutely no credibility.
I have worked with both Michael Smith and Tony Kacalek of The Bing/Met, for years, and appreciate *very much* their management. They are indeed outstanding in every way. To have not retained them would have been a great loss for the theater, for Mr. Dicker, and for greater Spokane.
Congratulations to Gerald Dicker, thank you for your proposed upgrades and renovations, and may The Bing continue to be successful and an integral part of our Spokane community.
The_Seer on February 17 at 11:22 a.m.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
A successful manager of an entertainment venue books more than fifty shows a year. The place is empty almost every night while right next door national acts play up to seven nights a week. The Knitting Factory has good management, The Met, well….
The_Seer on February 17 at 11:25 a.m.
btw: I was the lead promoter for the Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains and Screaming Trees concerts held at The Met. Full disclosure.