Preservation Group Pledges $2,500 To Save Fox But Symphony Has Not Decided Whether To Buy Theater And Isn’T Soliciting Building Donations Now

Local preservationists say they support the idea of the Spokane Symphony purchasing the Fox Theater as the orchestra’s concert hall, and they’re backing that up with money.

The Spokane Preservation Advocates board of directors voted Wednesday to pledge $2,500 to the symphony if it purchases the Fox.

“Spokane Preservation Advocates would like to be first on board a community campaign to enable the symphony to buy the Fox, and thus ensure the Fox’s survival, while supporting another Spokane asset, the Spokane Symphony,” Spokane Preservation Advocates President Joanne Moyer said. “We’re hoping that others will follow suit.”

Moyer said the preservation group is excited about the possibility of the building being restored by the symphony and is disturbed that the Spokane Club is considering purchasing the theater and tearing it down for a parking lot.

“We oppose the demolition of the Fox because it’s one of Spokane’s grand landmarks and the scene of many memories for countless Spokanites,” Moyer said.

The Spokane Club is looking for parking alternatives since plans to build a garage on club property along the Spokane River have been shelved because the project would violate shoreline regulations.

Paul Sandifur, executive officer of Metropolitan Mortgage, said parking issues in the neighborhood could possibly be resolved by tearing down the office building in the Met block across Monroe Street from the Fox and constructing a garage there.

Spokane Club officials would not respond to questions about their plans to increase parking for members.

The symphony is far from making a decision to buy the Fox, said Treasurer William Simer, who is heading the group’s Fox feasibility study.

The symphony commissioned an acoustical study of the building by Jaffe Holden Scarbrough Acoustics Inc. The Norwalk, Conn.-based firm’s findings, said Simer, were mixed.

“It was positive enough that we’ll give (the Fox) a good look,” he said.

Simer said the symphony must proceed cautiously. The Fox, he said, is listed for about $1.2 million. Costs for acoustic renovations, additional restrooms and other improvements would be considerable.

“We’re trying to be realistic,” Simer said. “This is a big project, and we have to have the whole community behind us.”

Simer said the symphony is not soliciting building contributions at this time, but board members would like to meet with Spokane Club officials and other groups downtown to decide the best use for the Fox.

Rob Brewster, who is developing the Montvale Building across First Avenue from the Fox at First and Monroe, said he would like to see the Fox preserved.

“I think the Spokane Club is using this to get that other parking structure on the river done, and I think that is completely inappropriate,” he said. “As a member of the Spokane Club, paying a million or more for the (Fox) and then paying to tear it down is ridiculous.”

Sandifur said a garage built on the Met block could serve the Spokane Club, the Metropolitan Performing Arts Center and the Fox.

“The Met block near Monroe is a pretty unaesthetic building,” he said. “It seemed to us that if they were going to tear down a building, ours is a better building to tear down.”