Friends of the Alger Has Ambitious Plans

Friends of the Alger Theater is taking on some big challenges over the next few months. Recreating a movie theater and community gathering space from a building that has been vacant for decades isn’t easy, but Jackie Grant, recent past President of MorningSide Community Organization and current President of Friends of the Alger, is optimistic – and determined.

“The board developed three goals shortly after I joined it,” says Jackie, “to install an elevator, to put in an ADA-compliant bathroom, and to get a new roof.” All three are required to get a Certificate of Occupancy, which they will need before the theater can be fully open to the public. And the need for a new roof became urgent after the recent flooding in our neighborhood. “We got six feet of water in the basement during the flood,” she says. Adding these improvements to get the theater open will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

That’s the bad news. The good news is that the Alger has recently signed a CBA (Community Benefits Agreement) with 9200 Cadieux LLC, a medical marijuana dispensary, which should provide a steady income stream. And after receiving donations from several large corporations, as well as money from online fundraising, they will have almost enough to pay for the lift and ADA-bathroom. Jackie believes they will have also enough financial stability soon to obtain a loan for the new roof.

Even though Friends of the Alger isn’t able to provide onsite programs yet, Jackie has found ways to work with other non-profits, especially those serving youth. “Young people are our future,” she says. The photos displayed in the windows of the storefront next to the Alger, which will be there until September 1, were created by young people working with Capturing Belief, a non-profit serving kids ages 11-19, which encourages them to “embrace their natural curiosity and embark on a journey of self-discovery” through photography and creative writing.

In September, the Alger will collaborate with Mint Artists Guild, a non-profit which also works with youth, but with a greater focus on teaching entrepreneurial skills and practical applications of the arts. Their plan is to create artistic displays in the windows of businesses near the Alger, eventually moving west.

Despite setbacks Friends of the Alger has experienced over the years, there’s reason for new optimism.

The storefront windows at the Alger highlights the artwork of Detroit's talented youth. Image courtesy of Jim West