Former Beaver Valley cinema demolished

Jeff McGrath, Beavercreek’s planning director, calls it a “valuable piece of property” for the city.

Contractors were at the site Wednesday to separate the recyclable metals from the former theater, which has sat unused for many years.

Before the Greene Town Center and the Mall at Fairfield Commons, the Beaver Valley Shopping Center was a popular shopping destination.

“This particular area, it’s been really sad because I mean it’s only just a couple places left, the banks have gone, the theater’s gone, of course Lofino’s was kind of a main section of Beavercreek,” said Rod Murch of Beavercreek.

McGrath said the demolition is part of a plan, in coordination with the property owner, to prepare the property for future development. They are currently pursuing possible mixed-use tenants to occupy the space.

“That would tend to draw people back to this area, because this was where a lot of Beavercreek was back in the say 70’s and 80’s and well into the 90’s,” Murch said.

McGrath said Beavercreek could support a third commercial district but it may not be a large destination. He said there’s even been some initial talks about possibly relocating city hall and police department offices there.