(KHBT) — Recently, community leaders have had discussions with R.L. Fridley Theatres Inc. about the operations of The Humota Theatre in Humboldt.
Fridley Theatres hopes to donate the Humota property, as they have successfully done in many other Iowa communities, and transition the business to a local group in order to continue operations.
The transition would include donation of the building and a heavily discounted price for the equipment inside. There are some capital improvements that will be required to maintain the building such as replacing the roof and HVAC system that would require a capital campaign to fund those projects.
If a plan for acquisition is not in place by September 1st to transfer ownership, the Humota Theatre will close.
For more information on how you can help, please contact HCDA Director Alissa O’Connor at 332-2557 or City Administrator Travis Goedken at 332-3435.
Humboldt City Administrator Travis Goedken told KHBT that “the City of Humboldt is doing everything they can to keep Humota Theater open, but as of right now there has been no formal discussion had about the city owning and operating the theater.”
A decision like that would have to be approved by council, as it is a real estate transaction.