That's too many pages, and too 2-dimensional. I'm just gonna assume that's where the local branch if the NSA is stationed.

Even if the NorShor isn't raised from ashes, the Skywalk right-of-way that the city gained from the purchase (which includes the Temple Building) would have cost a pretty penny when they get that far. It is part of the long-range plan for the Skywalk.

The first 20 rows of seats in the auditorium should be removable.  In addition to the applications that Paul discusses there is also the possibility there for tables for lounging, work groups or even alternate staging (such as for boxing, acrobatics, dance, etc).  These are important revenue streams.  

As for the "little theater," I am ambivalent about it. It was a terrible idea at the time but it may have ended up saving the theater from becoming a parking ramp or an empty lot in the 1990s, as it ushered in the multi-media NorShor model with film, visual art, music and theater in the same building, sometimes at the same time as demonstrated so ably by Rick Boo (and so quixotically by me).   

Also, I have an architectural question.  I thought I saw that the upper, upper level "attic" was going to be remodeled into a small theater or workshop/rehearsal type space.  Can an architecty-type person look at the plans and tell me if I am seeing that correctly.  The legends are true, there are still some seats up there, doors to nowhere and glimpses of lost 1910 Duluth era craftspersonship on display up there, even after all of the years of essentially being abandoned.  I'd love to see that saved. 

Back to the mezzanine controversy, I think that as designed it effectively is "gutting" of that stage's role in Duluth rock culture.  As imagined here we are going to be seeing a jazz trio, maybe a singer-songwriter with a guitar, or your high school a cappella group there, but not the Keep Aways or the Black Labels.

It pains me to see how traditional and uninspired the architects have been.

The DECC Auditorium holds around 2,200 people. The NorShor theater in it's 1940s incarnation had seating for about 1,200, Baci. (Someone please correct me if I am wrong).  So there is a size gap between the venues that could be a niche that might draw some more different kinds of acts to the area.  The thing is, the opening of Clyde Iron a couple of years ago has taken a great deal of the "need" for such a space in the Duluth-Superior market.  

At this point I feel it is redundant and wasteful to develop this as a 1,000-plus fixed seat venue. If they do that I may join the "boondoggle/wasteful spending" camp.  But again, like I said before, I'm not sure I completely understand the blueprints. The architects probably understand renovating historic theaters very well, but they may not understand Duluth economics and the Duluth arts scene as well as they need to to make a redesign work.