Renner Theater Will Hold An Open House Friday

Photo by Chase Flowers

One local organization aspires to help transform the city’s central business district.

In an effort to revitalize downtown Zanesville, the historic Renner Theater on 7th street recently purchased the building next it. To showcase the new property, the Renner will be having an open house this Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. At both buildings. The open house will be hosted by the cast of the Renner’s current play, Mister Roberts.

“Part of the arts overlay district, the artist colony of Zanesville bring arts and culture to our downtown area,” said Chamber of Commerce Membership Director Dana Matz. “Also this is an adaptive reuse project. So they’ve taken what was formerly a synagogue it is now a theater. At the open house they will have both of the building open and showing people what they’re doing, plans of what their doing. But again, it’s a great adaptive reuse of a building.”

There are currently 217 commercial and industrial businesses in downtown Zanesville. Matz said projects like this are important for the community.

“It helps simulate vibrancy in our downtown. I’m very excited about that. 7th street most of the projects that have been going on in downtown Zanesville been on 4th, 5th and 6th streets. It’s nice to see these projects going on in 7th street. This group is a 501 C 3 volunteer organization they need the help they can get. We’re glad that they are located in downtown. We’re glad their fixing up downtown buildings and we’re trying to help them however we can,” said Matz.