Judge Sets Timeline For Ventnor Movie Repair or Demolition

Will the eyesore formerly known as the Ventnor Twin Movie finally get torn down? Or will this iconic structure be brought ‘up to code’ so it can live another day?

The shuttered building on Ventnor Ave, across from the busy WAWA, is currently filled with mold, asbestos, dead rodents and sitting water. The building was the subject of a court hearing held at City Hall on Wed., Nov. 8. A judge is helping to determine the future of that structure.

WATCH VIDEO > Walk-Thru the Old Ventnor Twin Movie Theater:

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Debra Frank, daughter of the founder of the Franks Movie Chain fame is under increasing pressure to DO SOMETHING. Ventnor officials say the dilapidated building is, as it currently stands, unfit for habitation, occupancy or use. We think this boarded up corner property is dragging down property values, and is giving Ventnor a bad economic vibe.

Judge: If repairs are not made to bring it up to code, the building could face the wrecking ball.

The building will be made accessible to the City of Ventnor by Nov 17.  That’s when a complete inspection of the building will be conducted. Ventnor will then have 2 weeks to compete that inspection. Once completed, Ventnor will submit a repair list to the property owner, that should bring the old movie house up to current Ventnor building codes.

Next: Frank will have until Jan. 15 to decide if she’ll comply with the repair list.

Next: Ventnor & Ms. Frank will then agree to a reasonable time frame to complete the repairs.

NOTE: The only repairs mandated are those that bring the building ‘up to code’.

What that means: Ms. Frank could do the minimum repairs to the flooded, ratty, scuzzy theater, to be ‘city code compliant’. It could then potentially sit there for many years after that.

Ms. Frank grew up in Ventnor and currently lives in Longport. Her parents once owned the Margate Theater. The family purchased the Ventnor Twin Theater in the 1960s.

Could mixed-use development work in that space? Sure. But if the property isn’t priced right, it could slow the economic outlook for that business district for years to come.

Contact Sheri Lilienfeld from Apex Prime Realty for more details. Visit ApexPrime.com or call Sheri at (609) 487-9996.

Business below, with 4 residential units above. The building is 30,000 square feet.

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