METAL MAGNET; Palladium facing uncertain future - again.

• Position: NEWS

Byline: Bronislaus B. Kush

WORCESTER - Deb Powers isn't a fan of Insane Clown Posse, Killswitch Engage, A Day to Remember or any of the other bands that now frequent the Palladium - Central Massachusetts' "Mecca" for heavy metal rock.

But she has gladly signed on to her 19-year-old son's campaign to save the north Main Street structure.

"That building has been a place that's drawn many, many people over the years for a variety of reasons and it is just so Worcester," said Ms. Powers, who last visited the city landmark in the early 1980s for a performance of "A Chorus Line."

Built in 1928 by E.M. Loew, the famed theater mogul, the Palladium has survived, over the years, through some very difficult financial times by continually adapting to the ever-changing cultural landscape and by carving out niches that set it apart from other entertainment venues in Worcester.

At one time or another, it has served as a theater, a movie house, a music hall, a concert hall, a dance club and space for offices.

The Palladium has hosted comedic and vaudeville acts, boxing bouts, plays and performances by singers and bands from all sorts of musical genres.

Celebrities making an appearance at the Palladium have included Bob Dylan, B.B. King, Prince, Sam Kinison, the B-52s, Muddy Waters, Frank Zappa, Kanye West and the Three Stooges.

For a long time, the Palladium even sported a bowling alley in its cavernous basement.

Although it has survived many crippling economic hardships, the building may now be facing its biggest challenge.

Its owners, who have seen their property tax bill triple from last year, are considering demolishing the four-story building, at 255 to 265 Main St.

"We haven't made any decisions but we have to consider all our options, given the steep hike in our taxes," said John Fischer, a local lawyer, who along with John Sousa, purchased the property in 1990 with the intent of establishing a night club at the site.

City records show the Palladium had an assessed value last tax year of $688,700 and the owners paid $23,863.46 in taxes.

The assessed valuation this tax year escalated to $2,266,500, an increase of 229 percent. Mr. Sousa and Mr. Fischer now face dealing with a $65,887.16 tax bill.

The Palladium's owners are seeking a waiver to Worcester's demolition delay ordinance that requires a 12-month wait before a historic building may be knocked down. The ordinance's purpose is to allow owners time to look at alternatives.

Though not on the...