By Genia Billingsley, Bankhead Fellow + CEB Member
Excitement is building in the community as we await the official opening of the Grove Park Performing and Cultural Arts Center.
Here’s what we know so far:
Six years ago, the Grove Park Foundation acquired the historic Grove Theatre, located at 1576 Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway, affectionately known as Bankhead.
The original theater first opened its doors in June 1941, debuting with the film One Night in the Tropics, starring Allan Jones and Nancy Kelly. After nearly three decades of operation, the theater closed in 1969, and the building went on to house a variety of businesses, including a pawn shop.
In 2017, the Grove Park Foundation stepped in to preserve and reimagine the space. Now, after years of planning and investment, the community is eagerly awaiting an official update in what they hope will be another step in bringing back the Bankhead community they once knew.
Last week, the Foundation teased an announcement via Instagram, sparking anticipation about what’s to come. Gavin McGuire, executive director of the Grove Park Foundation, said he’ll sit down with us this week to share more about the project’s next chapter.
Stay tuned—we’ll have the full story for you next week.
Earlier this month, the Collier Heights Fellows, journalists, and Canopy Atlanta staff took a bus ride through the neighborhood, guided by Albert B. Cooper. Mr. Cooper, a Canopy Atlanta Fellow, was one of the first children raised in Collier Heights in the 1950s.
The tour explored some of the major streets in Collier Heights, including Oldknow Drive, Lyric Way, Waterford Road, and Skipper Drive. Mr. Cooper shared personal stories about his childhood and growing up with the families of Wyatt T. Walker and Herman J. Russell.
The community journalists gathered research notes about architectural styles, like the American Small House and the Mid-Century Modern. They also learned about Collier Heights homes where the films Hidden Figures and Fight Night were filmed.
