It looks as though one of Buffalo’s grand old theaters will be spared the wrecking ball. The Sattler Theatre, built in 1914 and located at 516 Broadway (near Jefferson), has been purchased for a scant $40,000 by a non-profit group called Western New York Minority Media Professionals, Inc (WNYMMP). They plan to pour roughly $1 million into restoring the building, which has been on the city’s demolition list for years, decaying all along. The Sattler will become WNYMMP’s headquarters and performing arts center.

WNYMMP works to educate members of minority communities “on how to improve themselves through the media, and how they can benefit from its resources and tools.” Among other things, the organization will be starting a gospel show for television called “Speak a Blessing,” which will be produced by a group of 50 high school students and 35 college students. The show, which will air on Channel 7 starting this spring, provides the students with invaluable hands-on education and job training to help them towards careers in broadcasting and marketing and advertising. Other shows WNYMMP has produced in the past for WKBW include “Western New York Magazine,” “Upfront TV Magazine,” and “Official Heat.” (more…)