The Denis Theatre Foundation's purchase option deadline for the Washington Road movie theater in Mt. Lebanon has been extended a second time, according to a news release from the group.

The first extension on the purchase option ended Wednesday; the new deadline to raise $750,000 to purchase the building is Aug. 31.

The foundation has raised nearly $500,000 so far, with another $155,000 promised from an anonymous donor if it can raise the same amount in matching dollars. The foundation has raised $76,000 toward that goal, which must be met by Sept. 1.

The foundation launched its capital campaign to buy the Denis in October 2009, but half of the funds raised so far were collected in the past six weeks, including a $100,000 grant from The Pittsburgh Foundation in May.

"We are grateful to all of our stakeholders for their support," said Anne Kemerer, the executive director. "More contributions at all levels are important in order for us to reach the $750,000 target by Aug. 31, and we are looking for donors to make multi-year commitments if they can help us to attain the vision for a new Denis Theatre."

The Denis Theatre, which opened in 1938, closed in 2004 in disrepair. The foundation hopes to reopen it under a $2.5 million, first-phase plan that would create a venue for independent, foreign language and documentary films; lectures and film series; and meeting rooms for cultural activities.

More information is available at www.denistheatre.org.

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