Penn Theatre Triumphs in Property Tax Dispute with City of Plymouth

There’s a spot of good news for movie buffs in Plymouth, as the city’s historic Penn Theatre celebrates a major victory in its long-standing dispute with the city over property tax exemptions.

The iconic theatre, a beloved community gem that has been serving up the magic of cinema for years, has been embroiled in a 32 month-long tussle with the City of Plymouth over its property tax status. Well, the curtains have finally come down on this heated battle, with Penn Theatre emerging victorious.

The bows and applause are directed at Michigan’s Tax Tribunal judge, who settled the dispute in the theatre’s favor. The judge declared that “Friends of the Penn,” the charitable institution running the Penn Theatre, fulfilled the criteria for a qualifying charitable institution. Further, the Penn was also recognized as a bona fide non-profit theatre.

Let’s take a moment to rewind and understand the backstory here. In 2021, “Friends of the Penn” dug deep into their pockets to purchase the building outright for a cool $1.2 million. They didn’t stop there, investing another million smackaroos into refurbishing the vintage theatre. However, their request for a tax exemption station faced a roadblock with the city stating that the theatre hadn’t met the required qualifications of a non-profit to earn the tax-exempt status.

So that’s the reel and real story of Penn Theatre. The theatre is up and running from Thursday to Sunday, ready to transport you into a world of fantastic stories, intriguing characters, and compelling narratives. For the showtimes, all you cinema enthusiasts can head over to the Penn Theatre’s website.

Bottom line, the Penn Theatre has pulled through a tough period and is standing tall today, ready to continue bringing the joy of cinema to the community. Here’s a huge thumbs up to the historic Penn Theatre, its dedicated team, and the vibrant Plymouth community. Let the shows go on!