Yes, it looks good now; however, note that the Daily News likely won’t keep the article at this url for very long, so you might want to provide a brief summary of its content here.
Council backs plan to save theater
City could buy property for $2.2 million, rent it to Menlo Park resident with restoration plans
By Banks Albach
Palo Alto Daily News
Thursday Oct 4, 2007
In one of its more controversial decisions this year, a divided Menlo Park City Council embraced a public-private partnership plan in an effort to save the Park Theater on El Camino Real.
Now city staff will negotiate details of a 55-year lease with Andy Duncan, who began acquiring the theater in January. As part of the council’s decision Tuesday night, the city will buy the property that the theater sits on for $2.2 million and rent it to Duncan, who wants to restore the theater.
Duncan had offered to pay a total of $800,000 in rent for that land the first 25 years and $70,000 annually afterward, but council members said that would place a financial burden on the city. They appointed council members Richard Cline and Heyward Robinson to a negotiation subcommittee.
“I have very strong opinions about saving this theater,” Cline said.
Duncan, a Menlo Park resident, has infused a sense of urgency into the debate, contending that the theater is falling apart and in desperate need of repair. Duncan also submitted signatures of 140 city residents who support his proposal.
“Once the theater is gone, it’s gone,” Duncan told the council. “I’m encouraged that the city council was seriously ready to take the next step and negotiate. I think there is room on both sides for a solution that makes sense.”
Under the current proposal, the city will have several chances to buy the theater from Duncan – for $2.1 million in 2011, $1.6 million in 2016, $950,000 in 2021 and $175,000 in 2026.
What has worried many people in Menlo Park, however, is Duncan’s plan to move his mother’s business, the Menlo Park Dance Academy, into the theater. Although he plans to restore the building so it can serve as a movie theater again, residents have expressed concerns about the city funding a private venture.
Among the 10 public speakers Tuesday, opinion was split. One person said the money should be spent on police, while another resident said the dance academy brings no community benefits. Those in favor said a historical theater will serve as a cultural anchor in Menlo Park, especially as the city considers revitalizing El Camino Real.
The 3-2 vote highlighted major differences on the dais as well. The majority is backing the plan because it appears to be the only way to eventually bring a community theater to Menlo Park. Mayor Kelly Fergusson said she has approached numerous developers over the past 18 months and none have shown interest.
“No one has stepped up,” Fergusson said. “(Now) Duncan has stepped up. This theater is a very important part of Menlo Park’s identity.”
Built in 1947, the building has enough historical significance to be on the National Registry of Historical Landmarks, which is good for a 20 percent federal tax break on construction costs, according to two experts Duncan has retained.
For the opposition, however, the deal seemed risky and too much like a handout. Council Member John Boyle said the council should sit tight and explore other options, rather than jump into something that could burden the city with unanticipated cost increases.
“Let’s not pretend that it’s anything but a pure dollar loss for the city,” Boyle said. “The taxpayers of Menlo Park are going to foot the bill for this.”
Besides not wanting to fund the project with public money, Vice Mayor Andy Cohen said the city is giving the landowner, Howard Crittenden, an easy way out of a tough property deal.
Crittenden originally wanted to convert the lot into office space. But because the building has historical significance, the California Environmental Quality Act demands an environmental analysis. By endorsing Duncan’s proposal, Cohen said, Crittenden is getting paid for his land yet avoiding the cost of the study.
“I’m not willing to give Crittenden a bye,” Cohen said. “No way.”
Duncan released his plans in January, but soon hit some snags as restoration and construction costs started to rise. He estimates that the price tag has climbed from $1.3 million to $2 million. The total cost, which includes the purchase from Crittenden, an Atherton resident, comes to about $4.2 million, Duncan said.
Hello Joe et al:
Please note that the web site listed above, http://home.earthlink.net/~parktheater/, includes a contact email address that is still active. The situation with the theater continues to be monitored by the Save the Park Theater citizens group, and you can receive up to date information by requesting it if you’d like.
A web site run by supporters of the Save the Park Theater citizens group is available at http://home.earthlink.net/~parktheater/ Among other information, a press release dated 9/21/2006 from the group’s organizer has just been added to the site.
Yes, it looks good now; however, note that the Daily News likely won’t keep the article at this url for very long, so you might want to provide a brief summary of its content here.
The 2/1 link does not work.
Council backs plan to save theater
City could buy property for $2.2 million, rent it to Menlo Park resident with restoration plans
By Banks Albach
Palo Alto Daily News
Thursday Oct 4, 2007
In one of its more controversial decisions this year, a divided Menlo Park City Council embraced a public-private partnership plan in an effort to save the Park Theater on El Camino Real.
Now city staff will negotiate details of a 55-year lease with Andy Duncan, who began acquiring the theater in January. As part of the council’s decision Tuesday night, the city will buy the property that the theater sits on for $2.2 million and rent it to Duncan, who wants to restore the theater.
Duncan had offered to pay a total of $800,000 in rent for that land the first 25 years and $70,000 annually afterward, but council members said that would place a financial burden on the city. They appointed council members Richard Cline and Heyward Robinson to a negotiation subcommittee.
“I have very strong opinions about saving this theater,” Cline said.
Duncan, a Menlo Park resident, has infused a sense of urgency into the debate, contending that the theater is falling apart and in desperate need of repair. Duncan also submitted signatures of 140 city residents who support his proposal.
“Once the theater is gone, it’s gone,” Duncan told the council. “I’m encouraged that the city council was seriously ready to take the next step and negotiate. I think there is room on both sides for a solution that makes sense.”
Under the current proposal, the city will have several chances to buy the theater from Duncan – for $2.1 million in 2011, $1.6 million in 2016, $950,000 in 2021 and $175,000 in 2026.
What has worried many people in Menlo Park, however, is Duncan’s plan to move his mother’s business, the Menlo Park Dance Academy, into the theater. Although he plans to restore the building so it can serve as a movie theater again, residents have expressed concerns about the city funding a private venture.
Among the 10 public speakers Tuesday, opinion was split. One person said the money should be spent on police, while another resident said the dance academy brings no community benefits. Those in favor said a historical theater will serve as a cultural anchor in Menlo Park, especially as the city considers revitalizing El Camino Real.
The 3-2 vote highlighted major differences on the dais as well. The majority is backing the plan because it appears to be the only way to eventually bring a community theater to Menlo Park. Mayor Kelly Fergusson said she has approached numerous developers over the past 18 months and none have shown interest.
“No one has stepped up,” Fergusson said. “(Now) Duncan has stepped up. This theater is a very important part of Menlo Park’s identity.”
Built in 1947, the building has enough historical significance to be on the National Registry of Historical Landmarks, which is good for a 20 percent federal tax break on construction costs, according to two experts Duncan has retained.
For the opposition, however, the deal seemed risky and too much like a handout. Council Member John Boyle said the council should sit tight and explore other options, rather than jump into something that could burden the city with unanticipated cost increases.
“Let’s not pretend that it’s anything but a pure dollar loss for the city,” Boyle said. “The taxpayers of Menlo Park are going to foot the bill for this.”
Besides not wanting to fund the project with public money, Vice Mayor Andy Cohen said the city is giving the landowner, Howard Crittenden, an easy way out of a tough property deal.
Crittenden originally wanted to convert the lot into office space. But because the building has historical significance, the California Environmental Quality Act demands an environmental analysis. By endorsing Duncan’s proposal, Cohen said, Crittenden is getting paid for his land yet avoiding the cost of the study.
“I’m not willing to give Crittenden a bye,” Cohen said. “No way.”
Duncan released his plans in January, but soon hit some snags as restoration and construction costs started to rise. He estimates that the price tag has climbed from $1.3 million to $2 million. The total cost, which includes the purchase from Crittenden, an Atherton resident, comes to about $4.2 million, Duncan said.
Hello Joe et al:
Please note that the web site listed above, http://home.earthlink.net/~parktheater/, includes a contact email address that is still active. The situation with the theater continues to be monitored by the Save the Park Theater citizens group, and you can receive up to date information by requesting it if you’d like.
A web site run by supporters of the Save the Park Theater citizens group is available at http://home.earthlink.net/~parktheater/ Among other information, a press release dated 9/21/2006 from the group’s organizer has just been added to the site.