Red Clay Theatre Eyed as Potential Music Venue

Well-known music industry figures are close to making a decision on whether to use the Red Clay Theatre on Main Street in downtown Duluth for a music venue, Duluth Economic Development Manager Chris McGahee informed the Duluth City Council during its work session Monday (July 25) night. A group of music artists and investors recently toured the building, McGahee reported, but he cannot reveal their identities yet.

“They are already sold on the building,” McGahee said, but have asked for a third week to reach a decision to go forward with their plans. They are considering using RCT for a concert venue, a brew pub and a radio broadcast site, he said.

“This is a valuable opportunity that will change the destiny of downtown.” McGahee said. Their plans would utilize the theatre all day long and generate activity and revenue downtown seven days a week, he said. 

The city, which owns the facility, has received two other proposals for using the RCT. One is from a group of four local drama professionals who appeared recently before the council. Even though they later withdrew their proposal to use RCT for dramatic productions and classes, McGahee said he considers it still on the table. New Dawn Theater Company has also submitted a proposal, he said. 

The council deferred action on going ahead with renovations to the theatre because the design would probably be affected by the use. They gave the music group the additional week requested by McGahee, but also informally agreed to issue a RFP (request for proposal) in 30 days to see if there are other groups interested in using the theatre if a decision is not reached on the music venue.

The Duluth Downtown Development Authority has selected an architect to design an addition to the theatre that replaces a portion demolished due to flood water and rain damage, but needs the council’s approval to proceed. The addition includes a pre-function area, restrooms, a box office, and administrative offices. The DDA has about $460,000 available for design and construction of the addition.

DDA Secretary Shelly Howard told the council that the DDA is OK with waiting.