Politics & Government

Closed Chester Theater Equipment Claimed by MCAW

Screens, seats and sound systems are being stored by Chester Borough while space is sought.

Jane Shatz doesn’t take no for an answer.

The director of the Morris County Arts Workshop will speak passionately at the drop of a hat about all things arts and what she wants to accomplish with MCAW in the greater Chester area. 

Her infectious zeal has charmed people like comedian Jim Breuer to partner with her on arts projects, cajoled the Chester Springs Mall management to lending her space to open The Hive storefront, and now has secured the pieces to create an actual theater.

“I have three screens, sound systems and the seats from three of the Chester movie theaters,” Shatz said. 

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A few weeks ago, the Clearview Cinema in Chester closed its doors after decades in operation. Rather than lament its loss, Shatz snapped up the equipment with designs on installing it in her own space.

“We have the entire first floor of the Highlands Building,” Shatz said. “I would love to get something together to view movies and have performances. But I need time to set it up. Give me a year.” 

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The problem was what to do with the equipment while Shatz and her MCAW associates look to find them a permanent home. Enter the governing body of Chester Borough, who agreed at their last meeting to allow MCAW use of its lot to store the equipment.

 “This is an organization that is trying to get off the ground and do something for our kids,” Mayor Bob Davis said.

Davis said the pair of 20-foot containers (donated to MCAW) sit not directly behind the municipal building, but the next building up.

“They’re water-tight containers, they’re steel containers,” Davis said.

A council agreement with the local Bears football team for the use of its garage precluded MCAW using that space, but Davis said this location would be perfect and wouldn’t be a thorn in the council’s side.

“I don’t look at placing a couple of containers on our property as a cost to us, nor do I look at it as a long-term liability,” Davis said. “If we get down the road a year from now and they’re sitting there and there’s still no home for the chairs, that’s a reality we may have to face, I don’t look at that as a big problem. I think at that point in time the council can look at it and extend the agreement.”


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