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The question “What to do with the Municipal Auditorium?� is hardly a new one. Before construction even began in 1938, the public was split on whether to build such a facility.

According to the history section on the building’s National Register of Historic Places application, supporters thought the facility would attract quality performers and “enhance the cultural lifeâ€� of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä. Others thought the theater would be a waste of public funds.

History of the auditorum’s 1939 construction

The theater, designed by Alphonso F. Wysong, was funded with a $250,000 municipal bond and $212,000 from the federal Depression-era Public Works Administration.

It was finished in late 1939 and christened with a four-hour dedication attended by 5,000 people. The first performance was held on Nov. 7, 1939. played to a crowd of 4,000.

Without a doubt, the 3,400-seat Municipal Auditorium has enhanced cultural life in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä. The list of performers who have graced the stage is long and legendary. To name a few:

• Ray Charles
• Luciano Pavarotti
• The Vienna Boys Choir
• Alice Cooper
• Betty Grable
• Bob Dylan
• Billy Joel
• Marilyn Horne
• Bob Hope
• George Jones
• Crosby, Stills & Nash
• James Taylor

But despite the performance pedigree, officials in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä have continued to have doubts and squabbles over the wisdom of investing in the building.

Old articles in The ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Gazette, ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Daily Mail and the National Register of Historic Places give a detailed look at the discussions.

1940s and 1950s

In the early days, the building had some mechanical hiccups. There was no heat or air conditioning. Performers protested the lack of showers in the dressing rooms, and seats near the sides of the theater were blocked off over a lack of attendance.

In 1950, an inspection found the building structurally sound but in need of maintenance.

A rock ‘n’ roll show in 1957 caused so much uproar among the city’s youth that Mayor John Copenhaver temporarily banned shows of the genre, saying, “I’m not sure at all that rock ‘n’ roll is good for city property.�

At the time, the building needed $52,445 in repairs (almost $600,000 in 2024 dollars), but the city chose not to make the repairs.

Three blocks away, the ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Civic Center opened in late 1958, prompting City Council members such as James Ireland to question whether the city could afford two theaters. The idea of a sale was floated.

1960s

After complaints about the building’s “shabby appearance,� Mayor John Shanklin appointed a citizen’s committee to study the building and make a recommendation.

The committee said in 1960 that the building was worth being repaired and operated. Officials still discussed selling the building. Management responsibility was transferred to the ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Civic Center Board, which still manages the facility today.

Finally, in 1966, almost $1 million (in 2024 dollars) in renovations began, including:

• Roof repairs
• Fresh paint
• New facades for the box offices
• Replacement of Art Deco doors
• Floor sealing
• HVAC work
• New acoustical tile

Eight truckloads of dirt and debris were hauled away from the air ducts, according to The Gazette. The repairs helped, and the auditorium began to bring in more revenue than it had since before the Civic Center opened.

In 1968, the City Council set aside $14,500 (more than $125,000 in 2024 money) for improvements to the building. However, Manager Denzil Skinner still questioned whether the building needed to be profitable.

“Auditoriums are not built to make money. They are part of the service the city gives its people, just like the parks, police and fire departments,� he said. “They attract visitors and business to the city. They provide relaxation for the community.�

Clay Center conflict

In 1997, Mayor Kemp Melton told The Gazette that he believed the building was going to be sold and razed for retail space. The pending construction of the Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences of West Virginia led many officials to again believe the Municipal Auditorium wasn’t needed, and there was an idea to sell the building and use the funds for the Clay Center.

Prior to the opening of the 1,900-seat Clay Center, the City Council voted for a Pittsburgh architect to evaluate the building. At the time, it was thought the needed work, which included an addition, would cost about $4 million to $5 million.

Mayor Jay Goldman said the cost was a “mere pittance,� compared to the Clay Center.

The Clay Center opened in 2003, taking longtime Municipal Auditorium tenant the West Virginia Symphony with it. However, the loss “helped as much as it hurt,� Civic Center Manager John Robertson told The Gazette in 2006. The symphony had rehearsed on some of the most popular days to rent the building.

In 2006, the building underwent renovations that included the replacement of doors and an exterior paint job that made the accents purple, instead of maroon.

Moving forward

Earlier this month, and presentation from ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä’s ZMM Architects and Engineers found that every building system requires work.

“There’s no part of this building that is in good condition,� ZMM’s Adam Krason said.