San Jose Century Dome Theater Recommended for Placement on National Register of Historic Places

Some encouraging news for the fans working to “save the dome,” San Jose's half-century old Century 21 theater on Winchester Boulevard: The State Historical Resources Commission recommended the theater for placement on the National Register of Historic Places.

The owner of the property wants to bulldoze the theater to make way for high-density housing.

That news launched a groundswell of online petitions and lobbying to save the 1964 building.

Tuesday’s recommendation now goes to the National Park Service, which has the final say on whether the preservation process moves forward.

The theater, which would have notched 50 years in operation later this year, closed its doors March 30 with a farewell screening of “Raiders of the Lost Ark.”

Former employees said they hope at least one dome can stay standing.

"Hopefully, they can save one instead of replacing it with another store," former Century 21 employee Ron Szaely said. "I like stores, but this is better, huh?"
 

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