There are big plans in the works for a 100-year-old former movie theater in College Hill.
On Monday, the College Hill Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation (CHCURC) launched Phase 1 of a $5.2-million redevelopment plan for the Hollywood Theatre, a historic landmark in the community’s Business District. CHCURC acquired the theater in 2018 and says this project is a milestone in efforts to revitalize the neighborhood, building on more than $91 million in public and private investment in the neighborhood.
The nonprofit is exploring possible future uses for the theater, with the help of community feedback, to turn it into a space that will open new opportunities for small businesses, artists and entrepreneurs, as well as serve as a gathering place for the community and draw visitors to the Business District.
“The Hollywood Theatre isn’t just part of our past. It’s the heart of the future of our business district,” Emmanuel Karikari, CEO of CHCURC, said in a press release. “Restoring it will bring new energy to College Hill, creating a dynamic hub where culture, community and commerce meet. This project will not only honor a century of history, it has the potential to spark local business growth, create jobs and generate lasting economic impact for our neighborhood and beyond. It’s a bold investment in what makes College Hill thrive.”
CHCURC is now working with 8K Development and the City of Cincinnati to stabilize the building and do a full renovation on the exterior, including replacing the roof, repairing and repainting brickwork, restoring windows and fixing up the marquee and the façade. It will also launch a $3.8-million capital campaign to close the funding gap in the redevelopment plan.
“CHCURC invites investors, business owners, and community partners to join in this transformative effort, whether through financial support, interest in becoming a tenant or alignment with the shared vision for what this space can become. Together, we can preserve the Hollywood Theatre and reimagine it as a vibrant cornerstone that honors its legacy and drives College Hill’s continued growth,” says the nonprofit.
This article appears in Apr 30 – May 13, 2025.
