The riots of 1968 devastated the area and many businesses and residents abandoned H Street for the suburbs.

The H Street Community Development Corporation purchased the theater in 1985, and renovated the Art Moderne facade in 1989.

In 2001 The Atlas Performing Arts Center purchased the building from the H Street Community Development Corporation.

[6][7] The structure was completely gutted and three adjacent buildings were combined under one roof to house the current Arts Center.

Under the direction of artistic director Mary Hall Surface, the goal of the festival was to bring artists from different disciplines, ages and cultural backgrounds together under one roof to celebrate and explore the areas to make new connections and break new ground.