Owner disillusionment and confusion over what the historic Miller Theatre might become have thrown its future into doubt again.

The theater was built in 1940 and used through 1985. Peter Knox bought the property three years ago and immediately set about repairing some of the more pressing problems.

"Prior to that it had been for sale for years, just languishing with very bad roof leaks," he said. "I have a basic interest in architecture and historic renovation, and I saw it as a shame not to do something with it."

He had the roof replaced, stripped out moisture-retaining materials and compiled a line-item review of what it would cost to finish the restoration. Mr. Knox said his intention was to seal the building to prevent further damage and then have a nonprofit set up to take over the venue. He said the estimate for restoring the building as a theater is $5 million to $5.5 million.

"I never intended to do all that by myself," he said.

Mr. Knox never set up the nonprofit, but he did offer to donate the building to local organizations. He said Augusta State University, the Augusta Symphony and the Imperial Theatre all turned him down. Now he has the building up for sale again.

"I have become disillusioned and disappointed by the whole thing," he said.

The asking price is $575,000. Mr. Knox said that would cover his costs.

Part of the issue is how the theater might be used. Mr. Knox said it could serve the community as an entertainment venue.

Brenda Durant, the executive director of the Greater Augusta Arts Council, isn't so sure. She said that although the arts council has not taken a stance on the Miller, she has given it a great deal of thought. She said that because it was built primarily as a movie theater, its stage is quite small, and the sloped floor in the main room makes it difficult to adapt it for anything else.

"The problem is, movie theaters are not giant halls anymore," she said. "And we can't be thinking with our love-struck eyes. We know there is not a need for a foreign film house with that many seats."

Mr. Knox estimates the capacity of the Miller with modern seats would be about 1,500.

Ms. Durant said she has seen theaters like the Miller adapted into reception halls and conference centers.

"Adaptive reuse is something, I think, we should think about with the Miller," she said. "I mean, do we want to save a theater or a historic building? Would a Chili's across the street from the Imperial be sad? Perhaps. But not as sad as a gravel parking lot."

The repairs made to the Miller mean it can survive until its fate is determined.

"The roof should not give any problems," Mr. Knox said. "This was no patch job. It's like a historic ship. Once the hull is fixed, you can work on it knowing it won't sink."

Reach Steven Uhles at (706) 823-3626 or steven.uhles@augustachronicle.com.