Imperial Theatre - Mohawk Arts Center

"A Stage for all Reasons!"

A Catalytic, Historic, Arts Redevelopment Project

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Preservation of an iconic Cincinnati Landmark in highly visible location

State-of-the-art, comprehensive performing arts and education

center for all ages

Thriving local and arts related businesses

Affordable residential community for artists and entrepreneurs

HISTORY

Mohawk, once a village along Hamilton Road (now known as McMicken), was established in 1792 along a trail to Hamilton, Ohio. As the Miami & Erie Canal was constructed in the 1820’s Mohawk grew along the canal and became an important industrial center.

Mohawk’s businesses used the canal to transport goods north toward Toledo and Lake Erie, and south to the Ohio River. In the 1880’s the canal enabled OTR Brewery District beers to find ready customers all the way to Memphis and New Orleans.

Building History

Imperial Theatre was a vaudeville house in 1912, with 800 seats. converted for moving pictures in the late 1930s.

Recessed entry converted to indoor lobby in the 1920s, showing nickelodeon, silent films, then talkies.

The impressive marquee was featured in Wagner Signs (Chicago) advertisements because of its many unique features.

COMMUNITY

The Anchor of the Mohawk Neighborhood Business District

The renovation of Imperial Theatre-Mohawk is a catalyst for transformational community and economic development. Preservation of This iconic Cincinnati Landmark in a highly visible location, Imperial Theatre-Mohawk will help create a thriving business, art, and entertainment district at the nexus of three neighborhoods - Mohawk OTR, West End, and CUF/UC.

PROPOSED DESIGN

Imperial Theatre - Mohawk Arts Center

A Vibrant Arts Hub for: Theatre | Music | Dance | Film and Film Festivals

Resident Companies | Arts Education | Job Creation | Community Partnerships

Historic Renovation = $3.8 M | New building Annex = $5.2 M

Private investment to date = $.6 M | Total project budget = $9.5 M

Funding:

Combination of private and public investment, tax credits, grants, and loans

Completed:

Assembly and purchase of properties
Standing Roof
Stabilization of 1912 building and installed a new standing
Achieved Part 2 Federal Historic Tax Credits

Awaiting:

New Market Tax Credits Updating
Evolving Business Plan and Pro-forma
Current Business Plan identifies 13 full time employees and 43 related individual full-time and part-time job opportunities

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