Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16
HARD TO WORK OUT.
A New Theater Project Calls Forth
Manager Willis Opinions.
FABULOUS PRICES BAR SCHEMES.
Numbers of Sites Proposed, but Very Few
Available as to Depth.
COUNTY BUILDINGS FOR A THEATER


by Fourth avenue real estate man that he
had an order for an S0x12O site for theatrical
purposes from responsible party, led to
call upon Manager Wilt When asked if
he was the responsible party alluded to he
smiled and said that he couldn't say"
'There is so much speculation as to the
chances of another theater in Pittsburg,"
said Mr. Wilt, ''that am not surprised
that the public is puzzled as to the exact
status of the matter. There are too many
contingencies in the matter to enable any,
body to speak with certainty as to the
possibilities of the future. 1 should feel
under deep obligations to anybody who
could tell me if Diamond alley is to be
widened, and if so, how much and when.
dare say that other are in the same predica-
ment.
"I would display childlike confidence as
to what the future may bring forth, if did
not from time to time make close inquiries
as to other property available for theatrical
purposes. One of my recent inquiries, made
solely for personal information, may have
furnished the basis for the rumor you speak
of tonight. 1 am exactly in this position:
I am epdeavoring to keep posted, but am not
necessarily buying chunk of property nor
erecting new playhouse-just yet.
A FEW THINGS TO CONSIDER.
"Since we are on the subject, there are
few things that may be of interest. When
the new theater is built it must be upon the
ground floor, and in an accessible street.
That means that unless the lot has unusual
depth there can be neither stores nor offices
in the building. At the present fabulous
prices asked for downtown real estate no
theater, pure and simple, could by any pos
sibiiity make an interest income upon the
ground, let alone the cost OF the building.
Regarding Pittsburg prices, it is a solemn
fact that could buy the ground on Broad
way, in New York, in the same block as the
Gilsey House, and put up handsome
theater for less than it would cost to secure
a site on Fifth avenue in Pittsburg. actu-
ally cannot make New York managers be-
lieve this, but it is a fact. And it is phase
of the question that will operate efectually
against the investment of foreign capital in
this city in the theatrical business, especially
when the manager from abroad must come
into competition with local men who have
studied the situation for years.
TOO MANY ALLEYS.
SIlll, dCCcSSlDlc
street, where can be found site deep
enough to allow of business rooms or offices
in front of ground floor property? If you
take a map of the city you will be astonished
at the great number of alleys which cut up
the business blocks and render shallow the
sites otherwise available. The first impulse
of manager would be TO secure site with
an alley at one side. But they are mani
testing a disposition to widen downtown
alleys, and where would manager be with
a slice chopped out of the side of his house,
with benefits assessed against his loss for a
widened alley he didn't want?
There are several sites with private
alleys quoted as advantages. But there is a
State law that private alley standing open
for 20 years cannot be closed. In at least
two sites know of, the private alley would
have to be closed to obtain the needed di-
mensions.
COULD MAKE BOTH ENDS MEET.
"There is another State law which inter-
feres with certain income from another
source. The theater cannot have a bar in
the same building. Has it ever struck you
that there is hardly theater in New York,
ST. Louis, Cincinnati, Chicago and Boston
in which there is not a barroom? In the
present system OF licenses in Pittsturg a
manager could run his theater at a loss and
show handsome balance as receipts if he
controlled license in the building"
The old county buildings have been under
consideration by a local manager, and it is
not improbable that the County Commits
sioners will yet receive an offer for the site.
The material in the buildings could be util-
ized very proftably in the construction of
theater, as there are many bricks and iron
beams that could be worked in.
Speculation as to the leasing of the jack
man building for theatrical purposes has
ceased abruptly. MIR. Ed. Jackman, as
executor of the estate, cannot make lease
or enter into any other negotiations until
the contest of the will. entered upon by his
deceased brothers widow, is settled in the
courts.