Muskogee's Roxy Theater Outlines Plans For Upper-Level Renovations

The historic Roxy Theater in Muskogee has big plans this year.

The owners of the Roxy Theater hope to expand into a part of the building, which most people have never seen.

With the new year, the theater is setting its sights on new goals like renovating a third-floor space and the second floor below it.

Oscar Ray, who spends much of his time working in the office at the theater, said they've spent years building support for the theater.

“We feel like there’s enough interest in this theater, in what it means to the city, what it means to the state of Oklahoma and for tourism itself to take it to that next level," Ray said.

The Roxy Theater was built in 1948 and was closed for 20 years in the 70's.

The bottom floor has been renovated and is what most people see when they come for a movie or a show.

There's a whole upper area, 2 floors, and 175 seats, which have been untouched for years.

“We’ve been getting estimates on different costs and things like that so we could make it work," Ray said.

It's still in the planning phase. It'll take 2 to 5 years. Ray hopes to see the balconies renovated and full of people again.

In the 1000 square-feet of office space, above the seats will eventually become a gallery for the Oklahoma Movie Hall of Fame.

“If we can do all that we want to do with the Roxy, from the standpoint for renovation and expansion, it will bring people to the heart of our city. The heart of your city determines the pulse of everything else," Ray said.