
Word is coming in of activity this morning around the "Uptown Theatre" at Broadway and Lawrence. Firetrucks were seen on Broadway and also behind the theatre on Magnolia. No word if this is due to an actual fire. If anyone has info, please add it in the comments. Let's hope it is nothing serious.
I called this into the fire department about 7:15 this morning as I saw black smoke coming from the west side of the roof. I stayed long enough to see many fire engines show up, but I don't know for sure if it was from fire or not.
ReplyDeleteI contacted Friends of the Uptown about this. The "smoke" coming from the west side was exhaust from the boiler stack. (The caretakers work through the winter to ensure the temperature is kept warm enough to prevent pipes from freezing.) The call prompted the fire department to tear its way into the building in several locations. No fire, so everything is safe. :-)
ReplyDeletethanks for the update. i've been worried about the 'ol girl all day.
ReplyDeleteThat was exhaust from the boiler stack? If that is the case, the boiler definately needs to be replaced b/c the amount of black soot that produced is pretty damaging environmentally speaking. Additionally, I had never seen black smoke coming from it before.
ReplyDeleteWell, my apologies to the fire department but I'm glad I called just the same.
Dave, It's definitely good to call if you see something out of the ordinary; better safe than sorry.
ReplyDeleteThe fire department took out a fence and broke through the doors front and back, but I don't believe they damaged anything inside and the theatre has already been re-secured.
The boiler is fired up at the Uptown only during the coldest nights, and it's been pretty cold this week. I'm not at all knowledgeable about boiler systems, but oil-burning boilers are not uncommon, particularly in larger, older buildings, and burning oil does produce a certain amount of smoke.
I was told you can call Uptown United or Alderman Smith's office with questions or concerns about the theatre; both offices are in contact with the Uptown's management company.
definitely don't feel bad for calling. i would have called too if i saw something like that!
ReplyDeleteI have a good view of the rooftop area of the theatre and I have seen the black smoke from the Uptown's chimey a few times in the last couple of years. Yes, its bad for environment and obviously the boiler needs replacement, which won't happen until the theatre has a new owner that completely rehabs it. Usually the black smoke is only on bitterly cold nights as another poster mentioned, so its usually not seen as much at night, but yes, lots of black soot comes out of those old boilers when they are fired up.
ReplyDeletei'm thankful someone did call. in the case of this theatre, with so much in limbo, it is important that citizens remain especially vigilant of strange stuff happening. i only wish someone could pinpoint who is vandalizing it all the time!
ReplyDeleteA friend that lives on Magnolia very close to the theatre has told me they have smelled a very strong "wood burning" smell on several nights lately. She commented that they thought someone had quite the blazing fireplace going, but then I happened to read this blog just now...I make a bet this is what they smelled! Are they burning WOOD in the Uptown's boilers??? My god, I hope not! Isn't that a fire hazard or against air pollution regulations if they are? Anyone on here involved with the Uptown care to comment? How often exactly are the boilers fired usually in winter?
ReplyDeleteIt was HELEN burning mounds of legal documents pertaining to Wilson Yards development fiasco and campaign contributions to her from Holsten in the Uptown's boilers last night that caused the huge amount of black smoke!
ReplyDeletePerhaps a new Pope was selected.
ReplyDeleteDoes the Uptown theater actually have a security guard or a person on duty in the building? Unless there is or there is a slew of security cameras and montion detector alarms that are monitored around the clock, no amount of fences, doors, locks will keep vandals out of a vacated building indefinately. I am always worried that homeless people will find a way into the building, built a fire to keep warm and end up burning down the place. Anyone know how often someone actually enters the theater and checks up on it? Is the heat automatic or does someone actually go check interior temperature and decides to turn on the heat to avoid more damage?
ReplyDeleteThe building will be secured and redeveloped soon... Keep your ears open!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteThe building will be secured and redeveloped soon... Keep your ears open!
Sure it will. In this economy? Are you people deaf to the markets and not aware of the recession?
Sure it will. In this economy? Are you people deaf to the markets and not aware of the recession?
ReplyDeleteYou're speaking generally. I don't think anyone doubts the economy is lousy. But there's still a lot of investment money being spent.
It sounds like Anonymous/11:05 might have specific information about the theatre. We can only hope someone with very deep pockets has an interest in the Uptown.
(Anyone who addresses others as "you people" is deducted ten discussion points automatically.)
A recession is a decline in a country's gross domestic product (GDP), or negative real economic growth, for two or more successive quarters of a year.
ReplyDeleteWe are not in a recession at the moment.
Yes, the building is secured, alarmed, and has caretakers who are there all the time. The boilers are manually operated it is not automatic.
ReplyDeletehere's a great little documentary about the theatre and the guy who is the caretaker.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.compassrose.org/dvds/uptown-portrait.html
you can buy a copy on dvd or just download it by finding a link at the bottom of the page.
sorry about the previous "post"...it saved before i was done writing it.