The Kannapolis City Council has restructured the original purchase and operational agreements for the former Swanee Theatre. The City acquired the vacant Swanee Theatre as part of its purchase of the downtown properties in 2015. In 2021 West Ave Entertainment, LLC which is owned Kent Gregory and Ken Lingafelt, signed an agreement to renovate and purchase the theatre and open it as an entertainment venue.
The renovations have been completed by West Ave Entertainment and the Swanee Theatre has opened as a venue for live music performances. With changes in the focus of the West Ave Entertainment, LLC Group, they approached the City to modify the purchase agreement.
West Ave Entertainment will no longer pursue the purchase of the building and the City will assume operation of the business as a Parks and Recreation facility. The City will reimburse West Ave Entertainment for its costs to renovate the Theatre.
For the next eight months the City will contract with Ken Lingafelt (Swanee Entertainment LLC) to continue to operate it as a live music and performance venue. Towards the end of the eight-month transition period, the City will consider all options for the future operation of the theatre. There is no scenario the City is considering that would result in the theatre’s cease of operation as an entertainment venue.
The Swanee Theatre was built in 1940 and was one of four single screen movie theatres in Kannapolis. It remained open until 1971. Since then, the building was used as a visitor center and a workforce training center for Rowan-Cabarrus Community College but has been vacant in recent years.
“It has been a pleasure to see the Swanee Theatre come to life once again. I have enjoyed several concerts there and am looking forward to many more. The renovations by West Ave Entertainment have made this historic building a vibrant place to be enjoyed,” commented Kannapolis Mayor Darrell Hinnant.
The Swanee is located at the corner of West Avenue and Cannon Baller Way. For more information and tickets to performances visit www.theswaneetheatre.com.
The City has sold most of the eight downtown blocks and one of the outer parcels (the former Plant 4 site). Over 40 new businesses have opened including restaurants, a brewery, a pub, boutiques, hair salon, a barber, a cycle shop and much more. Pennant Square Townhomes and VIDA Apartments are open with the new Stadium Lofts Apartments and Towel City Tavern opening soon.
Kannapolis Downtown Revitalization Project:
The City of Kannapolis has invested $113 million in three catalyst projects to revitalize downtown. The projects include the West Avenue Streetscape, Atrium Health Ballpark (the new home of the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers Minor League Baseball Team) and a public parking deck in the VIDA Mixed-Use District. An additional catalyst project, renovations to the Gem Theatre, continue.
For more information on the City of Kannapolis and the Downtown Revitalization Project visit kannapolisnc.gov/revitalization.