Von Lee Theater's future undecided

In May, Kerasotes closed the Von Lee Theater, 517 E. Kirkwood Ave., a long-time home to art and indie films and their fans. Now, people are speculating about the future of the building, which has been thrusting unique films into Bloomington's limelight since the 1920s.\nOne of the best future homes for the deserted theater is IU, some professors say.\nIn a memo to Vice President for Administration Terry Clapacs, Barbara Klinger, director of film and media for the department of communications and culture, lists many reasons for IU to consider the project.\n"Given the long history of film studies on this campus and the basic cultural needs of a university community of this size, I think it especially important that the Von Lee be preserved as a movie theater," Klinger wrote.\nKlinger said there isn't a place on campus to properly view 35mm films. The only screen available, the Whittenberger auditorium, has bad sight lines that prevent viewers in the rear of the auditorium from seeing the bottom third of the screen. The Neal Marshall Education Center, under construction on Jordan Avenue, will be the only venue available. \nVisiting filmmakers, IU's film studies program and the community would be able to use the Von Lee, Klinger said. \nThe option has been in discussion among administration and faculty. \n"Indiana University contacted Kerasotes for the purpose of accessing the building to inspect it to assist in determining the University's level of interest," said University Real Estate Director Lynn Coyne. She said the University has not yet decided to move forward with discussions. \n"Like everyone, we are doing our best to see if it has a fit for us," said Clapacs, who said he has been attending films at the Von Lee for 40 years.\nOne obstacle the future owners of the Von Lee will face is renovation. Clapacs estimated renovation of the theater would be $1 million in addition to the cost of purchase.\nBob Galivan, real estate representative of Kerasotes theaters in Bloomington, said there are a few other interested groups. They should have results from the evaluations in 60 to 70 days. \nGalivan said Kerasotes closed the theater because it was not up to technological standards and the abundance of other screens in the area did not make the Von Lee viable. \nKerasotes also used to own the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave. When the company sold the theater to the Bloomington Arts Council, Kerasotes made the stipulation that films could not be shown there. Galivan said he did not know if this would be a stipulation for future owners of the Von Lee.