100-Year-Old Movie Theater Gets $43.3M Restoration Boost In Westfield

WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield's Rialto Center for Creativity was approved for up to $43.3 million in Cultural Arts Facilities Expansion (CAFE) Program tax credits by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) to support the restoration and transformation of the historic Rialto Theater.

The 100-year-old movie theater in Westfield will be converted into a performance, education, and gallery space.

"This extraordinary investment moves the project one step closer to preserving the beloved Rialto while creating a vibrant destination for the arts, education, and community programming that will strengthen our downtown for generations to come," said Mayor Jeremy Berman.

Berman also congratulated the volunteer Board of the Rialto Center for Creativity for its work on the project over the years.

He said the board's vision, persistence and many hours of work helped bring the proposal to this point and played an important role in securing the investment.

"Their dedication has been instrumental in securing this remarkable investment, and our community owes them a tremendous debt of gratitude," said Berman.

Berman also thanked the NJEDA and the CAFE Program for backing the project, "for recognizing the importance of this project and investing in Westfield's future."

For more information, visit rialtowestfield.org.

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