By JIMMY LAWTON

North Country Now

OGDENSBURG -- A local businessman who has a history of investing in Ogdensburg has now set his sights on Ogdensburg’s defunct movie theater.

The theater closed in 2012 as cinemas across the nation were forced to convert to a digital format or get out of the business.

At the time there was a push to keep the cinema open by owner Gill Jones, but some head-butting with city officials at the time and a lack of funding for the project stopped the progress.

Now in 2019, having recently refurbished a former elementary school into high-end housing, Jeffrey M. Skelly of JMS Construction is hoping to establish a new entertainment venue for families.

Skelly plans to buy the theater and is considering a major renovation so movies can again be shown there or turning it into a kid’s activity center.

The first would include modernizing the cinema. Skelly said the project would be costly, upwards of $1 million, and he is seeking potential grants and financing option that could help him install four modernized cinemas.

“My big feeling is that if it’s going to be done it has to be quality. If it’s going to be done, it has to be excellent,” he said.

But Skelly says the high cost of investment, could mean pricing that isn’t affordable enough for all Ogdensburg residents.

“My concern is I can make this beautiful family theater, but what if a family can’t afford it. Well then I’ve accomplished nothing. I really want to create a place where families can take their children,” he said.

While the theater option remains on the table, Skelly said he’s also considering a venue that might have kid’s activities, similar to Sky Zone, though he is not looking to become part of a franchise.

“I really just want to provide families with something affordable they can do together,” he said.

For now Skelly is still weighing options. He said he will be analyzing costs and to see which will be more viable and beneficial to the community.

“Then I’ll decide which way to go,” he said.

Skelly said he has had great support from the city officials and representatives from the Industrial development Agency since he has expressed interest.

In the end Skelly’s main goal is breathing some fresh life back into a city that is dear to him.

“My parents had a nice life here. Ogdensburg has provided me with a great life. I really just love this little town,” he said.