1,000 signatures reached
To: Arturo Flores, Mayor, Eduardo Martinez, Vice Mayor, Karina Macias, Council Member, Jonathan Sanabria, Council Member, Nancy Martiz, Council Member, Ricardo Reyes, City Manager, Huntington Park Historic Preservation Commission
Restore and Revive the Historic Huntington Park Warner Theatre for the Community
Our original goal:
We are asking the City Council, Planners and Historical Commission to make special provisions to: 1. Protect the interior of the theatre from being gutted the and original seats from being removed and 2. Utilize this space for the community as a performing arts venue of sorts, non-profit or otherwise where the existing main stage and indoor auditorium with all original historical factors being preserved.
But then...
The owners got a variance for the adaptive reuse work by a unanimous vote of the City of Huntington Park Historic Preservation Commission at a December 2014 meeting. The City's Planning Commission then gave the project their approval at a January 2014 meeting.
"The three-member City of Huntington Park Planning Commission convened Wednesday evening, January 14, to consider a request for a variance from the HP Historic Resources code for the remodeling of the Warner Theatre. As expected, the Commission supported the Historical Commission decision that a variance should be granted to allow the theatre to be converted to retail purposes. A lengthy presentation by city staff was fraught with serious mistakes and assumptions.
We are asking the City Council, Planners and Historical Commission to make special provisions to: 1. Protect the interior of the theatre from being gutted the and original seats from being removed and 2. Utilize this space for the community as a performing arts venue of sorts, non-profit or otherwise where the existing main stage and indoor auditorium with all original historical factors being preserved.
But then...
The owners got a variance for the adaptive reuse work by a unanimous vote of the City of Huntington Park Historic Preservation Commission at a December 2014 meeting. The City's Planning Commission then gave the project their approval at a January 2014 meeting.
"The three-member City of Huntington Park Planning Commission convened Wednesday evening, January 14, to consider a request for a variance from the HP Historic Resources code for the remodeling of the Warner Theatre. As expected, the Commission supported the Historical Commission decision that a variance should be granted to allow the theatre to be converted to retail purposes. A lengthy presentation by city staff was fraught with serious mistakes and assumptions.
"Essentially, the City never gave real consideration for preserving the Warner as an entertainment center. Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation members offered solid evidence during public comments to the Commission that many of the points made by city staff stating that there was no viable way to operate the Warner as a theatre were simply incorrect and that the city staff had not thoroughly investigated successful historic theatre operations and the economic, social and cultural benefits that would be gained from re-activating the Warner.
"Warner Theatre owner Pouya Abdi clearly recognizes his property as a historical treasure and seems sincere in finding the best way to bring it to life and still make a return on his investment. Pouya is willing to consider reviving the Warner as an entertainment and community center if an operator is identified. (Per Los Angeles Historic Theatres Blog, thanks to Bill Counter)
This is where WE come in...
Now that Blink Fitness has gone out of business and whereas there is a new Chairman of the Arts & Theater Commission in Huntington Park, the community will rally to restore this historic gem and return it to it's original use as a community venue once again for future generations of Southeast (SELA) residents to enjoy for decades to come.
Please join us in asking the council to return the Arts, Music and Theater to Huntington Park and the surrounding communities by utilizing the historic Warner Theater in it's original purpose.
"Warner Theatre owner Pouya Abdi clearly recognizes his property as a historical treasure and seems sincere in finding the best way to bring it to life and still make a return on his investment. Pouya is willing to consider reviving the Warner as an entertainment and community center if an operator is identified. (Per Los Angeles Historic Theatres Blog, thanks to Bill Counter)
This is where WE come in...
Now that Blink Fitness has gone out of business and whereas there is a new Chairman of the Arts & Theater Commission in Huntington Park, the community will rally to restore this historic gem and return it to it's original use as a community venue once again for future generations of Southeast (SELA) residents to enjoy for decades to come.
Please join us in asking the council to return the Arts, Music and Theater to Huntington Park and the surrounding communities by utilizing the historic Warner Theater in it's original purpose.
Why is this important?
Architect: B. Marcus Priteca, who also designed the Pantages (later Warner) downtown, the Warner Beverly Hills, the Warner Grand in San Pedro and the Pantages in Hollywood. Priteca was a Seattle based architect who designed hundreds of theatres all over the country.
-Los Angeles Movie Palaces
Built in 1930, this was the first of three theatre designs Priteca executed for the Warner Brothers chain.
-Pacific Coast Architecture Database at the Architecture and Urban Planning Library, University of Washington, Seattle
-Los Angeles Movie Palaces
Built in 1930, this was the first of three theatre designs Priteca executed for the Warner Brothers chain.
-Pacific Coast Architecture Database at the Architecture and Urban Planning Library, University of Washington, Seattle
How it will be delivered
Via email and in person