JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — In a now-viral post on Facebook Tuesday, the owners of Sun-Ray Cinema announced the possible sale of the building that houses the historic Five Points theatre, prompting an outpour of calls to save it.
The 5 Points Theatre Building also houses the popular local coffee shop BREW Five Points, along with office spaces.
Rumors surrounding the theatre's sale spread on social media, including claims from a grassroots campaign saying the building would be torn down and turned into a parking garage.
So, let's VERIFY what we know about the future of Sun-Ray Cinema.
SOURCES
Jack Shad, current owner of the 5 Points Theatre Building
Jimmy Peluso, Jacksonville City Council, District 7
City of Jacksonville's Land Development Review Website
CLAIM #1 - The building that houses Sun-Ray Cinema is being sold
According to the current owner of the building, Jack Shad, he is selling it.
Shad told First Coast News after almost 20 years of ownership, it's time to sell the building to a new owner.
"Our family bought the 5 Points Theatre Building in 2004 and did a complete historic rehabilitation to return this beautiful building to its original appearance. We've provided a home for dozens of small businesses. After almost 20 years, it is time for us to sell the building to a new owner who can maintain that legacy. After a long search, we have found a buyer with experience managing other historic properties throughout the southeast," Shad said.
Shad did not provide a timeline for when the sale will go through, but added he is "excited to see what the future brings."
CLAIM #2 - Sun-Ray Cinema will be demolished, replaced with parking garage
Rumors circulating online claimed that if the 5 Points Theatre Building is sold, the Sun-Ray Cinema would be demolished and replaced with a parking garage.
The building's current owner told First Coast News that he requested to declare the 5 Points Theatre Building, which Sun-Ray Cinema is located inside, as a local landmark in 2004, protecting it from demolition.
According to the City of Jacksonville's Land Development Review website, the 5 Points Theatre Building is a historical landmark.
"At our request, in 2004 the City Council declared the building a local landmark, meaning that it cannot be torn down to make for a parking garage," Shad said.
Jacksonville City Councilman Jimmy Peluso also says a parking garage isn't happening.
"No possibility, there will not be a parking garage," Peluso told First Coast News. "And even the owners of the theatre have said 'nope we're gonna dispel that,' they can't do any demolition, especially on the outside, they need to get a certificate of use for anything."
Peluso added that due to the historic designation of the 5 Points Theatre Building, a new buyer won't be able to tear down any walls.
"The big concern is what can be done in the interior," Peluso said.
Although the new owners can be more flexible inside, changes would need approval. Peluso said he hopes it doesn't get to that point.
“I just hope that, if we do see this sale go through, that the new owners see what it could be because the neighborhood knows what it could be. It could be an incredible asset, just like it has been now.”
CLAIM #3 - Sun-Ray Cinema will close if the building is sold
In Sun-Ray Cinema's post on Facebook, it states that it has not been offered a chance to continue its lease if the 5 Points Theatre building is sold.
However, the current owner of the building says the new owner, who has "experience managing other historic properties," will honor all existing leases as required by law.
First Coast News reached out to the owners of Sun-Ray Cinema and they declined to comment.
WHAT WE FOUND
The "Save Sun-Ray" petition, created by Adam Guillette, said on Tuesday when it was shared online that the building would be torn down and turned into a parking garage or virtual golf course.
However, on Wednesday, the petition was changed to only include a virtual golf course option.
First Coast News reached out to the creator of the petition asking why the petition was altered. We received the following statement:
"I was given updated information suggesting that they likely would not be able to tear down the property for a garage. If that proves to be true, their plan is to gut the inside and install a virtual golf course."
When First Coast News asked Guillette who his source was, he said "one of the relevant parties."
The "Save Sun-Ray" petition has garnered more than 10,900 signatures, as of 4 p.m. Wednesday. The creator of the petition, Guillette, is not affiliated with Sun-Ray Cinema.