Theater owner agrees to clean up boarded-up site in Forks

Published 12:01 am Wednesday, May 25, 2005

FORKS — The owner of the aged Olympic Theatre agreed to pressure-wash the façade of his building — among other sprucing up measures — after meeting with the Forks City Council on Monday night.

In 2000, Richard Hsu acquired the wood-frame cinema, which had closed down in the 1980s.

But since then the building has continued to deteriorate, now sitting with boarded-up windows and doors on Division Street.

After Forks Mayor Nedra Reed wrote a letter to Hsu asking what he planned to do with his property — which another city official described as an “eyesore” — Hsu presented some preliminary ideas for the future of the site.

The first step is to clean up the 1930s-era structure’s exterior as well as fix the rear storage area, where the walls are crumbling.

Some missing siding will also be replaced.

“It was a real positive meeting,” said Hsu, describing his session with City Council.

“The first thing I promised is I will fix is the ugliness.”