The tearing down of the beloved Main Art Theatre in Downtown Royal Oak is effectively underway after the theater’s sign was officially removed Thursday.

Morning 4 is a quick roundup of stories we think you should know about to start your day.

It’s hard to imagine downtown Royal Oak without the Main Art Theatre, but that could soon be the reality if the building’s owner gets what it wants. The plan Tuesday (April 12) night is to tear down the iconic theater and replace it with a five-story mixed-use development, which went before the city’s planning commission.

Morning 4 is a quick roundup of stories we think you should know about to start your day.

The future of Royal Oak’s Main Art Theatre is in the hands of the planning commission, with a final meeting planned for Tuesday night.

The Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak has eight decades worth of history. Of those 80 years, the theatre has been in the heart of Jason Kryzsiak for 30. It even factored into his and his wife’s decision years ago when they decided to move.

The group stood outside of the theater fighting to reopen it and is asking the city and landlord to preserve its history.

The Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak has permanently closed its doors Saturday.