Though it sits inside the Baltimore City line, The Senator Theatre has long been an asset to the greater community and an attraction to Baltimore County.

A proposal to turn the theater into a new home for Towson University's WTMD-FM carries the prospect of making the 70-year-old theater even more of a Towson asset, and open its doors to a wider audience.

In November, the Baltimore Development Corp. -- an arm of the city which owns the theater after its foreclosure auction upon earlier this year -- accepted proposals from parties interested in assuming operation of the theater.

TU's plan, endorsed by university President Robert Caret, would see the campus radio station relocate to the theater, and also continue to use the theater for movies.

The plan suggests The Senator might even become a venue for student productions and films, thus making it an arm of the campus curriculum.

Other proposals include real estate developer JR Owens Corp.'s idea to renovate the theater and add 24 apartments; a plan by James "Buzz" and Kathleen Cusack -- owners of the Charles Theatre -- to keep The Senator as a theater and add a crepe eatery; and a proposal for live performances and cinema attractions by Noch-Noch Productions, a Baltimore-based theater consulting firm.

While all of the proposals have merit, there seems to be a natural logic in having TU and the Senator paired to create an entertainment and broadcast center.

TU carries a bonus of connecting the theater strongly to a campus population that might support productions and shows there.

In addition, WTMD broadcasts could help market theater's events and attributes throughout the region, making students and residents more aware of what's going on there.

Of course, the plan that's accepted by the Baltimore Development Corp. and the city will be measured by both dollars and sense -- whether it has the best chance of succeeding and keeping The Senator afloat as a viable entertainment venue.

In that regard, TU may have an edge as well. Being married to a public institution of higher education might provide a more stable future compared to one that's connected solely to private enterprise.

No doubt these factors, and others, will be considered before a decision is made. And it may take a while -- the city has announced neither a timeline nor process to pick a winner.

It's interesting to note, though, that Tom Kiefaber, former owner of The Senator, hasn't been shy about weighing in with his preference for the TU plan. On The Senator Web site, he says Towson's proposal " clearly towers above the others."

Kiefaber adds, "Hopefully, through a process of evaluation ... the many merits of the Towson (proposal) will emerge and be embraced by all."

Time will tell. It's a story we expect will play out in 2010. Perhaps, in true theater tradition, Kiefaber's view is a preview of coming attractions.

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