Berkley Marquee Going Dark for Repairs
(City of Berkley, March 23, 2025)
Berkley, MI – The City of Berkley announced this week that the iconic downtown marquee will go dark beginning April 1, 2025, to facilitate essential structural repairs.
Berkley’s Downtown Development Authority has committed funding for this critical maintenance project, which includes replacing support beams and completing steel repairs.
“This beloved landmark has been part of our downtown identity for generations,” said Jennifer Finney, Interim Executive Director of the Downtown Development Authority. “These necessary repairs will help preserve the marquee for years to come while ensuring its structural integrity and safety.”
The marquee has served as a community landmark since the Berkley Theatre first opened on 12 Mile Road in 1941. While the marquee is widely recognized as a symbol of downtown Berkley, it is actually part of the building’s facade and not City property.
Since the theatre’s closure in 1993, the City has maintained a lease agreement with the building’s owners to use the marquee for messaging about community announcements and invest in its upkeep, with annual maintenance costs averaging $15,000.
At the March 17 City Council meeting, officials renewed this lease agreement, demonstrating the City’s continued commitment to maintaining this historic feature. The shutdown will also allow officials to determine specific electricity costs associated with the marquee. Previously, these costs were covered by Rite Aid as part of the building’s single electric meter system.
The building housing the marquee is currently in a transition period, and several development opportunities are under consideration. While no specific date has been set for the marquee to be illuminated again, the City has communicated the landmark’s cultural significance to all prospective tenants.
“Although the final decisions about the marquee’s future will ultimately rest with the property’s owners and tenants, we’ve made it clear how deeply this landmark matters to our community,” said Crystal VanVleck, Berkley City Manager. “We remain hopeful about preserving this piece of Berkley’s unique character.”
