Capri Theater braces itself for light rail construction
The Capri Theater is the last of a kind in North Minneapolis and its leaders hope it can survive a long light rail construction period. Photo by David Pierini
By Azhae’la Hanson, Reporter
The leaders of the Capri Theater see the benefits of light rail coming down West Broadway and its transformative potential.
But they worry the theater won’t survive the lengthy construction period.
“The hope would be that easier access would bring more people, sad Capri Theater Director James Scott. “But how do you weather that storm?”
The theater is experiencing a resurgence after closing its doors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Capri appealed to the public to raise $1 million for operational costs, but leadership worries the theater can’t afford another blow.
The Capri Theater has been a venerable institution since 1927 and is the last of 13 theaters that once called the Northside home. Many legends, including a young Prince, graced its stage.
“People are coming back (after Covid), and we are so excited,” said Melissa Denton, executive director of Plymouth Christian Youth Center, which owns and operates the Capri. “But we have to take this pause to think, ‘Oh no,’ with this construction, how is that going to impact this resurgence that we're seeing.’ We don't have a lot of resources to have us float for five or seven years until things get better.”
“We've gone through many challenges and changes and things like that, and we'll go through this one, but we need to brace ourselves.”
While most of the Northside construction of the Blue Line extension will be on 21st Avenue, the route from downtown will curve at James Avenue to continue down West Broadway. Business owners between James and Penn share the same concerns as the leaders of the Capri.
Parking and access are at the top of the list of concerns for the theater. Less parking means fewer patrons entering the building. Already, Capri is about to lose half of its parking capacity due to the construction next door of the NEON Collective Kitchens incubator, which broke ground in October;
There is also concern about how elderly or disabled patrons will access the theater. Metro Mobility is currently able to drop riders off at the front door.
Blue Line project staff have had several conversations with the theater about ways they could implement parking solutions on the street and off. Vacant lots and properties near the theater offer possibilities. However, Capri would have to negotiate with the lot owners, the City of Minneapolis.
Blue Line spokesman Kyle Mianulli said contractors will work around events at the theater during construction.
“All key partners are around the table coming up with solutions,” Mianulli said. “When you talk about transit-oriented development, the Capri is a key transit destination, whether people take the train or their car.”