CHAUTAUQUA – The Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater has been designated as a national treasure by The National Trust for Historic Preservation. The announcement, which was made Tuesday, means it’s likely the Institution will not tear down the Amp in order to build a new one, but instead focusing on renovating the 122 year old facility.
Officials with the National Trust say the amphitheater was added to the listing because of the recent news that Chautauqua was considering tearing it down to build a more modern facility that could better accommodate the needs of both the audience members and various acts and speakers who appear there. Chautauqua Officials say the overall cost for such a project would be $33 million.
But officials with the National Trust say that tearing down the amphitheater would compromise the historic character of the Institution, and are hoping the designation will convince Chautauqua Officials to look toward renovation and preservation, rather than demolition.
Last week Chautauqua President Tom Becker said that the Chautauqua board would not make a definitive decision on the future of the Amphitheater until August.
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