Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Cambridge City Council is looking to tackle the issue of vacant properties in Harvard Square, including a historic theater that is approaching its 100th anniversary.
The Harvard Square Theatre on Church St. has been unused since 2012.
Vice Mayor McGovern is calling on billionaire and owner of the building Gerald Chan to testify before the council to discuss plans to revitalize the building, along with other vacant properties of his.
He said it's important that Chan be a part of that public discussion.
"People can have a chance to express their feelings ... why it's important that something be done with that building sooner rather than later," McGovern said.
"We can all try and get on the same page about what the future of that building is going to be."
Councilor Ayesha M. Wilson supported the order.
"When we have so many closed spaces, it does bring down that level of vibrancy," Wilson said. "And that theatre, being such a historic space, is something we just can't just turn a blind eye to."
The Harvard Square Theatre Business Association sent Chan a letter asking him to re-establish the theatre.
Harvard Square Theatre opened in 1926 and seated more than 1,600 people.
Its live performances over the years included Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, Bob Dylan, and Joan Baez.
The Clash performed their very first live show in the United States at Harvard Square Theatre back in 1979.
WBZ News Radio's James Rojas (@JamesRojasMMJ) reports.