Brief: Federal grant to fund study on historic hotel

Tuesday, Jan. 12, 1999 | 11:26 a.m.

The U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration awarded the grant to the Nucleus Associates Local Development Co.

Gina Fountain, director of corporate affairs for Nucleus, which is operated by the owners of Nucleus Plaza Inc., the developers of a shopping center on West Owens Avenue, said hotel owner Bart Maybie and Nucleus owner John Edmond are working on the effort to restore the Moulin Rouge, which was nominated to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.

"This is a catalyst for our redevelopment efforts to help clean up the area and produce something the community can be proud of once again," Fountain said today.

The Moulin Rouge opened as the city's first interracial casino in 1955, but closed after six months due to financial troubles. It has been shuttered most of its 43-year history, being used occasionally as a nightclub and for boxing matches.

Phillip Singerman, an assistant secretary with the Economic Development Administration, said the building could potentially be used as a center for black cultural arts.

"This project has the potential of creating new jobs and stimulating business growth in this neglected area of the city," Singerman said.