At its July 17 city council meeting, the Pittsburg City Council is being asked to approve a three-year agreement for the operation of the California Theatre.
The agreement would be $350k for Fiscal Year 2023-24 with Entertainment Lane Inc. and funded through the Pittsburg Power Company for the theatre located at 351 Railroad Avenue in the City of Pittsburg.
All operational revenues derived from the California Theatre will be retained by the City. Entertainment Lane Inc. is anticipating at least $400,000 in revenue per year.
COMPENSATION SCHEDULE
City shall compensate Consultant as follows:
- $50,000.00 upon signing and at the beginning of each year and
- $25,000.00 per month, billed at the end of each month totaling
- $350,000.00 per year.
- Reimbursement for costs of ONLY parts in order to perform repairs on any lighting, sound and audio visual equipment and/or theater repair.
- If gross income into the Theatre exceeds $650,000.00 including and not limited to any grants, donations, etc., Consultant shall be entitled to 20% profit sharing over said amount.
This award comes after a Sept. 30, 2022 RFQ was issued for an operator of the California Theatre—two responses were received by the City of Pittsburg.
According to the staff report, Entertainment Lane Inc. currently owns and operates the Fox Theatre in Salinas and has more than 30 years of experience in hospitality and entertainment.
Entertainment Lane Inc. to provide administration and management of the California Theatre, including hiring, training, and supervising all employees and directing the day-to-day operation of the facility. Operations will be run by a theatre management team, consisting of a Daily Sales Manager, Evening Operations Manager, Sales Manager Marketing Director & Coordinator, and box office personal. Entertainment Lane Inc. will design and manage the theater website and on-line communications and social media for marketing the theater and all events held at the venue.
Entertainment Lane Inc. will be responsible for talent buying and event production services, which may include national touring headliner artists, local artists and films. Entertainment Lane Inc. will coordinate management requirements with City staff, and will provide financial and operational reports, annual operating budgets and programming plans.
The scope of the management operation also includes janitorial, housekeeping, and providing technical theater support, including proper maintenance of theater equipment. The City, as the owner of the theater, will continue to perform maintenance activities to the building, and will pay utilities and maintenance contracts related to the fire and entry alarms, elevator and fire suppression.
Back in August 2021, the City of Pittsburg received a $400k grant from the State to assist in the historic theatre renovation project which has been closed due to ongoing construction and to add balcony seating. The money was included in the state budget passed last week, at the request of state Sen. Steve Glazer (D-Contra Costa).
The funds were slated be used to update the theatre marquee and provide dressing room facilities below stage. These features will expand the scope of the City’s current renovation project, which will add more than 100 seats to the theatre balcony.
The balcony project is financed with a $1 million donation from the John H. and Regina K. Scully Foundation to the Pittsburg Arts and Community Foundation.
The historic California Theatre is a 330-seat theatre located at 351 Railroad Avenue in Pittsburg’s downtown. The City’s $8 million renovation of the former vaudeville theater property was complete in 2013, and won a Preservation Design Award from the California Preservation Foundation. The additional seating and other improvements will attract bigger acts and audiences once the theater resumes full operation.
The California Theatre has hosted summer drama camps for kids, films, as well as concerts and comedy shows by George Lopez, Sinbad and other top entertainers. The theater is also the home venue for Pittsburg Community Theatre drama troupe.
Staff Report: click here
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1 comment
What a frkin scam
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