1.-LL. ID 22-613 Actions Pertaining to the Acquisition of property at 1247 North Wishon (APN 451-265-02) and 777 East Olive Avenue (APN 451-265-03)
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines for the project.
2. Approve a Resolution Establishing a Policy for the Preservation and Use of the Tower Theatre Property and Authorizing Purchase of the Tower Theatre Property.
3. Approve a Joint Litigation, Defense, and Indemnity Agreement by and between the City of Fresno, the Tower Theatre Entities and Sequoia Brewery
4. Approve a Purchase and Sale Agreement and Joint Escrow Instructions by and between City of Fresno, Tower Theater Productions, Fidelity National Title Insurance Company, and Tower Theatre Productions for the Performing Arts for real property at 1247 North Wishon (APN 451-265-02) and 777 East Olive Avenue (APN 451-265-03) for $6,500,000.
5. Approve a Purchase and Sale Agreement and Joint Escrow Instructions by and between City of Fresno and J&A Mash & Barrell, LLC., and Fidelity National Title Insurance Company for a portion of the real property at 777 East Olive Avenue (APN 451-265-03) for $1,200,000.
This is absurd, spending millions in taxpayer money just to prevent a church (that has been a positive part of the tower community for ten years) from purchasing the theater. Strongly oppose this!
Tower Theatre is a city institution! Since the beginning, Adventure Church has shown nothing but disregard and disrespect to their long standing neighbors while occupying the space. They have used the cultural cache built by many generations of tower faithful of the space to serve their interests only and not benefit the community. The fact that their presence has attracted extremist white nationalist groups is a stain on the legacy of the theatre. The soul of tower will be lost of Adventure church is allowed to move forward with their selfish agenda.
I would like to see this theater restored, and halt all use of religious services within the building, even temporarily. Tower is not the place for a religious entity to reside in the very heart, especially one with mysoginistic, patriarchal, and anti- LGBTQ+ sentiments. Adventure church does not belong in tower. Period.
The city has 6 + million to spend on a Theater, but I'm driving on roads that look like swiss cheese because of so many potholes. If they maintain the theater like they maintain our roads it will be falling down in 10 years. I don't want my tax dollars going to this theater purchase.
I fully support Adventure Church purchasing tower theater. If you only knew the people from adventure church, you would know that they never hate on anyone. They welcome anybody with open arms. They love God, love people, and make connections. This is an amazing opportunity to bring love to Fresno!!
Taxpayers should be concerned that the funds to purchase, run and maintain the Tower Theater will come from all our pockets. Six million dollars is better spent on maintaining, beautifying, providing protection for the city. Not to purchase a theater to quiet a small group of protesters. Adventure Church has been an asset to the owner and the surrounding businesses for the past two years. No harm has been done yet the church has been met with aggression and negativity. Please make a wise decision and avoid a negative financial impact on the city.
I strongly oppose of the city of Fresno using tax payer dollars to buy a theater when our city has a huge homeless and crime problem and streets covered in pot holes. Do what you were voted in to do first and then maybe we can talk about purchasing entertainment venues.
Why is the city using our tax dollars and willing to pay more then the value of the cost. Instead of buying a building that is be occupied by people who are doing a good for the city. Why not use our tax dollars on the homeless or the huge drug problem we have. millions of dollars being missed used by city.
I support the church's fair and legal purchase of the Tower. They would pose no threat to the area and could only uplift and enrich the culture that is already in place. It is clear theyre desire is for good and wholeheartedly full of love. Lets support Adventure since there would be no harm involved with them remaining there!
Because of this community and its accepting neighborhood, I was able to come out when I was 16 and march with my partner hand in hand during pride parade.
That was 11 years ago. Just like how the older generations paved the way for equality and acceptance in such a historic area, the tower theatre has since and will always be my “safe space” and now It’s our job to continue making tower theatre that safe space for ANY young lgbtq+ member..
Strongly support this purchase given the theater's historical significance, the borderline illegal manner in which the lease and then attempted sale proceeded, and the existing zoning requirements for the area. Not to mention the public support. It's clear that the Adventure Church, with it's affiliations with known religious extremists (the fascist Proud Boys among them) cannot responsibly support the Tower community and represent the commercial or residential stakeholders long known to the community. Frankly, Abbate has done a huge disservice to the community. It is a sterling example of why property ownership should be only an entry requirement for contributions to a community's culture. The agreed upon culture of Tower should be the priority. That cultural priority is decidedly more consistent with Reel Pride, Rogue Festival, Porchfest, and Broadway Parque, to name only a few.
I fully support the city purchase of the tower theater
This is absurd, spending millions in taxpayer money just to prevent a church (that has been a positive part of the tower community for ten years) from purchasing the theater. Strongly oppose this!
I fully support this resolution.
I strongly support this purchase given the theater's history
City Ownership for Tower Theater Now! Protect our cultural arts district! Thank you!
I strongly oppose the City of Fresno trying to purchase the Tower Theater.
Don’t we at Adventure Community Church count too? We are a positive community of people for the city of Fresno.
Please do not take the church!!
I support the city buying the property, selling part of it to Sequoia, and preserving the historic integrity of the theatre.
I oppose the interference of this sale and the use of tax dollars in this manner.
Tower Theatre is a city institution! Since the beginning, Adventure Church has shown nothing but disregard and disrespect to their long standing neighbors while occupying the space. They have used the cultural cache built by many generations of tower faithful of the space to serve their interests only and not benefit the community. The fact that their presence has attracted extremist white nationalist groups is a stain on the legacy of the theatre. The soul of tower will be lost of Adventure church is allowed to move forward with their selfish agenda.
I would like to see this theater restored, and halt all use of religious services within the building, even temporarily. Tower is not the place for a religious entity to reside in the very heart, especially one with mysoginistic, patriarchal, and anti- LGBTQ+ sentiments. Adventure church does not belong in tower. Period.
The city has 6 + million to spend on a Theater, but I'm driving on roads that look like swiss cheese because of so many potholes. If they maintain the theater like they maintain our roads it will be falling down in 10 years. I don't want my tax dollars going to this theater purchase.
I fully support Adventure Church purchasing tower theater. If you only knew the people from adventure church, you would know that they never hate on anyone. They welcome anybody with open arms. They love God, love people, and make connections. This is an amazing opportunity to bring love to Fresno!!
Taxpayers should be concerned that the funds to purchase, run and maintain the Tower Theater will come from all our pockets. Six million dollars is better spent on maintaining, beautifying, providing protection for the city. Not to purchase a theater to quiet a small group of protesters. Adventure Church has been an asset to the owner and the surrounding businesses for the past two years. No harm has been done yet the church has been met with aggression and negativity. Please make a wise decision and avoid a negative financial impact on the city.
I strongly oppose of the city of Fresno using tax payer dollars to buy a theater when our city has a huge homeless and crime problem and streets covered in pot holes. Do what you were voted in to do first and then maybe we can talk about purchasing entertainment venues.
Why is the city using our tax dollars and willing to pay more then the value of the cost. Instead of buying a building that is be occupied by people who are doing a good for the city. Why not use our tax dollars on the homeless or the huge drug problem we have. millions of dollars being missed used by city.
I support the church's fair and legal purchase of the Tower. They would pose no threat to the area and could only uplift and enrich the culture that is already in place. It is clear theyre desire is for good and wholeheartedly full of love. Lets support Adventure since there would be no harm involved with them remaining there!
Because of this community and its accepting neighborhood, I was able to come out when I was 16 and march with my partner hand in hand during pride parade.
That was 11 years ago. Just like how the older generations paved the way for equality and acceptance in such a historic area, the tower theatre has since and will always be my “safe space” and now It’s our job to continue making tower theatre that safe space for ANY young lgbtq+ member..
Strongly support this purchase given the theater's historical significance, the borderline illegal manner in which the lease and then attempted sale proceeded, and the existing zoning requirements for the area. Not to mention the public support. It's clear that the Adventure Church, with it's affiliations with known religious extremists (the fascist Proud Boys among them) cannot responsibly support the Tower community and represent the commercial or residential stakeholders long known to the community. Frankly, Abbate has done a huge disservice to the community. It is a sterling example of why property ownership should be only an entry requirement for contributions to a community's culture. The agreed upon culture of Tower should be the priority. That cultural priority is decidedly more consistent with Reel Pride, Rogue Festival, Porchfest, and Broadway Parque, to name only a few.