The Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau is working to buy the Penn Theater in downtown Butler.

Having purchased the former Worsley Building property in the city in 2018, the Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau now is eyeing up a second piece of historic Main Street real estate.

“The tourism bureau in collaboration with private companies and communities is working diligently to buy the Penn Theater,” said Jack Cohen, bureau president. “The two properties together could create a beautiful event facility.”

The Penn Theater, often a point of community discussion, was purchased by the Redevelopment Authority of Butler County in 2009. A $290,000 loan from the Pittsburgh Historical Landmark Foundation is in default, and at least two other entities expressed interest in buying it in recent years.

Cohen said until further notice, the details of the tourism bureau's concept is under wraps.

Last spring, the tourism bureau purchased the site of the former Worsley's House of Color. The building was home to a paint and wallpaper business until it closed in 2014. The building was heavily damaged by a fire in March 2016 and the structure was demolished later that year.