The City of Auburn is moving forward with legal action to take ownership of the historic Schine Theater after years of delays by the current owner to advance restoration efforts.
During the May 22 City Council meeting, Assistant City Manager Jennifer Haynes said the city is pursuing an Article 19-B proceeding—a legal process that allows municipalities to take title of abandoned commercial properties. Once finalized, the city will take control of the theater.
City and state grants tied to incomplete project
The theater has changed hands multiple times over the last two decades. In 1998, it was transferred from Pentagon Realty to the Cayuga County Arts Council. In 2018, ownership was transferred to Schine Theater LLC, a development entity formed by Bowers Development.
The current owner proposed a $6 million phased restoration to convert the building into a multi-use venue for concerts, events, and entertainment. The City of Auburn committed $800,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for environmental remediation. That phase of work was completed and reimbursed.
Two additional state grants were awarded to the project—a $1 million Restore NY grant and a $1.2 million Empire State Development capital grant. However, Haynes noted that those grants remain with New York State and have not been disbursed because construction milestones were never met. “You have to put the money out and meet all the project requirements to get the state money back,” she said.
Mayor Jimmy Giannettino reiterated that “the previous owner did not run off with $2.2 million,” countering what he described as a common public misconception.
City will explore future redevelopment options
Haynes told the council that once the city takes possession, officials will explore options to advance the project. That may include issuing a new request for proposals or transferring the building to a qualified entity through another process.
The Schine Theater has not undergone any major construction work beyond environmental remediation, according to Haynes. While past plans have included full interior and exterior renovations, no new development commitments have been made.
The city’s intent is to regain control and reassess how best to restore the long-vacant downtown landmark.
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