Bama Theatre

Construction began on the Bama Theatre in 1937 and was completed in 1938. Prior to this time, City Hall occupied the location at the corner of Greensboro Avenue and Sixth Street. Three theatres were also present in downtown Tuscaloosa: the Ritz (also on Greensboro), the Diamond and the former Bama Theatre which was renamed Druid after the construction of the present Bama Theatre (University Blvd. adjacent to what is now the RBC Bank Building). Funds from the Public Works Administration, a depression era program enacted to both increase employment and benefit the community, were used for the project which included both a theatre/municipal auditorium and city hall, all under one roof. Including funds from the PWA and those contributed by the city, the complex cost $200,000 to complete. In addition to the city offices, three retail spaces were also included in the building. T

he new complex was the first public building in the city complete with a true air conditioning system. It regulated the temperature and humidity plus filtered the air. The grand opening took place on April 12, 1938 and was preceded by a parade including Disney characters and The University of Alabama's Million Dollar Band. Million Dollar Baby, starring Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn, was screened at the gala, accompanied by animated features. The facility is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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