Old Bailey Theatre downtown facing demolition

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Old Bailey Theatre in downtown Wilmington is facing the possibility of demolition.

The Historic Preservation Committee will be talking about its options tonight.

George Edwards with the Historic Wilmington Foundation says the iconic theatre was built in 1940. He said it was closed in 1980 after parts of the structure were deemed unstable.

Edwards said the owner is working with developers on what it could be used for next. Edwards said that could be positive, but it would also be sad to see it go.

“Some of the more prominent buildings of that design style have disappeared and to lose that without a plan for the developer to do anything would be I think detrimental,” Edwards said.

Edwards said the HPC will vote on several options tonight. One of those is to give the owner a year to find another solution. He said there will be public comment allowed.