The Des Moines theater, purchased by investor/developers Tom Lin and Isaiah Dummer is now in the process of formulating their "big picture" elements for the 10,000 square foot building. It means a lot of ideas are being considered and some of them promise to be innovative, unique and to change the space into a genuine community resource.

Lin and his architects Greg Squires and Mark Haizlip of the Alloy Design Group were busy measuring the interior dimensions and talking about what they might keep, create and otherwise make possible.

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So far ideas such as a dinner theater, a lounge and dinner area upstairs they might call "The Projection Room", and an outdoor dining area on a deck adjacent to the projection room space with a view of the sound, are being seriously considered. The retail spaces along Marine View Drive are essentially already promised and include a pizza restaurant, frozen yogurt, and a coffee shop.

Movie goers could buy snacks or drinks at these vendors and bring them in.

Upstairs in the building they are even considering creating the Des Moines Film Institute, ostensibly a 501 (c 3) non-profit organization, that would be equipped with computers and video gear to be an educational and film study resource for high school and college age students. Participants would be able to check out gear to create films, assemble the work on in-house computers and be part of an ongoing film festival at the location. So far the idea is just in the talking stage.

But first they had to clear away the hundreds of pieces of electronic gear and other items from projectors to film cases, to radios that the former owner had accumulated. They held an auction in late January to sell off a portion of the items and generated more than $14,000 but hundreds more pieces remain.

They sit like silent patrons in the seats of the theater, at one time occupying every one of the 300 seats. So the task in recent days has been to salvage what is possible from the antiquated gear, such as radio tubes, lenses and functional projector bulbs and to recycle the rest.

Some of the gear of course includes genuine antiques that have historical value and to that end Lin and Dummer offered to donate some of it to the Des Moines Historical Society.

Carmen Scott, Board Member of the Des Moines Historical Society said, "The Des Moines Historical Society is very pleased to see all the work being done to bring new life to our Historic Des Moines Theatre.  The new owners have generously donated many unique and interesting Items from the theatre which have allowed the Historical Society to begin planning a film history and theatre exhibit for the Des Moines Museum."

The City of Des Moines is working hard to be a responsive partner in the revitalization process because they recognize the plans the developers have in mind have the potential to spark the interest in other businesses and drive further development.

Marion Yoshino, Economic Development Manager for the City of Des Moines said, "We are already seeing a positive response from other current and prospective property owners, and Tom and Isaiah have tenants lined up for the retail spaces. This investment and revitalization taking place in the heart of downtown Des Moines creates the sense of upside potential for investors,  and that is contagious."

Lin noted that he was pleasantly surprised by the positive reaction he's gotten from the city and praised the city administration for taking a personal interest, stopping by more than once to see how things are going. Tony Piasecki, Des Moines City Manager said, "The City of Des Moines is delighted to see the effort and energy that Tom and Isaiah are putting into the rebirth of the Des Moines Theater.  The deteriorated condition of the theater was a huge challenge, but Tom and Isaiah plunged right in and have already made amazing progress.  
We will work with them in any way we can to help them realize their vision."