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.
Yes, please City of Fresno, buy the Tower Theater. Good Morning,
I would like to voice my concerns about Adventure Church illegally occupying the Tower Theater and the hopeful action of the City of Fresno buying the Theater. I am a lifelong citizen of Fresno ... most of it in the Tower District. I am a gay senior citizen who went through the 50's with with raiding of bars where gay people congregated (WhitebrigdeRoad). Finally, after many years, we found a home. Young gay couples can walk through the tower holding hands without fear of violence. I never thought it was possible. It is now threatened. We need to keep the Tower a safe place for all. The only place in Fresno that is a safe haven is threatened. Please buy the Theater and save us.
Thank you,
Craig R. Miller
1047 N. Fulton St., Apt. No. 8
Fresno, Ca 93728
559-270-0479
I support the church owning Tower and not the city because the area is filled with crime and homelessness, the people need a place to gather and be helped. Only the church can provide that not the city.
I support the city’s purchase of the Tower Theater only under the condition that is remains properly zoned and historically preserved. The other ideal option is allowing Sequoia to purchase the property as is their contractual right.
Don’t let a conservative church take over one of the only safe queer spaces in the city. They’re intentionally trying to harass residents and we cannot let it continue.
I strongly oppose the selling of the Tower Theater to the City of Fresno. The sale of the Tower is a private sale and should not be impeded by using taxpayer money. The money used for the purchase would be an irresponsible and reckless use of measure P funds- taking money away from much-needed parks and other green spaces around Fresno. Based on previous examples, the City of Fresno will not maintain the Tower Theater in a way that the historic theater deserves (which Adventure Church is currently doing).
Also, if the City purchases Tower Theater, they will push the theater out of the private sector, meaning the City will have to hire teams to help maintain the theater, skyrocketing booking prices and preventing shows from occurring in the theater.
The purchase of the Tower Theater by the City of Fresno is unethical and irresponsible. I strongly oppose this purchase.
Tower is home to so many who have felt as though they didn't have a home they could turn to. This community is vastly important for our City and the people who reside here. The theatre is a cultural landmark, hosting beautiful events, drawing in visitors with it's beautiful display, and making people feel at home. This building should be protected and cared for as it has protected and cared for it's community. Please save the Tower Theatre.
I love Anthony Flores on a personal level, while I also absolutely believe that the Tower Theater is and should be a public space, not to be owned and controlled by a religious organization. A public/private combo agreement seems to me the best possible scenario for the Tower community as a whole. I am all for RENTING the space to any organization, religious or not, but ownership should be public/private and non religious.
I support the purchase of the Tower theater by the City, to preserve the iconic center of this arts/entertainment district, to be available without bias as a public rentable space, as a historical landmark whose protection should be preserved by the city, and to keep the local businesses that have defined the neighborhood for decades going. I say this a person of faith who has spent a lot of time in the area, has friends who live in the neighborhood, and who is very hopeful, even praying, that this purchase will move forward successfully.
Tower Theater is a historical landmark of the city, and the defining landmark of the Tower District. For many years I could see it from my bedroom window. As the city aim to serve its constituents, it should purchase the Tower Theater to ensure it continues on as an important, and iconic part of the Tower District community. There is no need for a church (or any other disruptive group) to occupy the Tower Theater. There is already a large Christian presence in the Tower District through the work of the Catholic Diocese of Fresno. The Shrine of St. Therese is just up the street, and Catholic Charities is less than a mile away. Allowing outside purchase wouldn't bring anything to the community, as we already have a large, integrated, and peaceful Catholic community in the Tower District. The looming threat of outside purchase by a hostile third party presents a clear threat to the community, and the City of Fresno at large. For these reasons, I am totally and unequivocally in favor of the City of Fresno purchasing this historic landmark to maintain it as a staple of Tower District and the City of Fresno.
Dear Council Members, Tower Theater must be purchased and dedicated a historical building. Tower Theater is Fresno. It is one of the most recognizable buildings not just in the City of Fresno but for the entire County. Generations of families have memories of seeing their first film or performance. It brings unique events that are specific to the area. I grew up in Fresno have live here or in Clovis my entire life and I know that I am not alone when I say that it would be devastating to lose such an iconic landmark in our City.
Please protect this beautiful and historical Fresno landmark and save it from being home to bigots. Tower should continue to be a welcoming, artistic hub where visitors and native community alike can experience what Fresno has to offer. Please approve acquisition of the Tower Theater!
I support the city's purchase and preservation of the Tower Theatre. Operating this historic theater as a space for the entire community will ensure that zoning ordinances are respected and that the unique culture and economy of Fresno's main arts and entertainment district are maintained.
I support the city purchasing the Tower Theater! This would be a great cultural win for Fresno. Think of all the great community run events we could have! It is our responsibility to preserve this historical landmark for generations to come and cultivate our culture and communities.
The owner should be able to sell to Adventure Church. My tax dollars can be better used else where.
Yes, please City of Fresno, buy the Tower Theater. Good Morning,
I would like to voice my concerns about Adventure Church illegally occupying the Tower Theater and the hopeful action of the City of Fresno buying the Theater. I am a lifelong citizen of Fresno ... most of it in the Tower District. I am a gay senior citizen who went through the 50's with with raiding of bars where gay people congregated (WhitebrigdeRoad). Finally, after many years, we found a home. Young gay couples can walk through the tower holding hands without fear of violence. I never thought it was possible. It is now threatened. We need to keep the Tower a safe place for all. The only place in Fresno that is a safe haven is threatened. Please buy the Theater and save us.
Thank you,
Craig R. Miller
1047 N. Fulton St., Apt. No. 8
Fresno, Ca 93728
559-270-0479
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
I support the church owning Tower and not the city because the area is filled with crime and homelessness, the people need a place to gather and be helped. Only the church can provide that not the city.
I support the city’s purchase of the Tower Theater only under the condition that is remains properly zoned and historically preserved. The other ideal option is allowing Sequoia to purchase the property as is their contractual right.
Don’t let a conservative church take over one of the only safe queer spaces in the city. They’re intentionally trying to harass residents and we cannot let it continue.
I strongly oppose the selling of the Tower Theater to the City of Fresno. The sale of the Tower is a private sale and should not be impeded by using taxpayer money. The money used for the purchase would be an irresponsible and reckless use of measure P funds- taking money away from much-needed parks and other green spaces around Fresno. Based on previous examples, the City of Fresno will not maintain the Tower Theater in a way that the historic theater deserves (which Adventure Church is currently doing).
Also, if the City purchases Tower Theater, they will push the theater out of the private sector, meaning the City will have to hire teams to help maintain the theater, skyrocketing booking prices and preventing shows from occurring in the theater.
The purchase of the Tower Theater by the City of Fresno is unethical and irresponsible. I strongly oppose this purchase.
Tower is home to so many who have felt as though they didn't have a home they could turn to. This community is vastly important for our City and the people who reside here. The theatre is a cultural landmark, hosting beautiful events, drawing in visitors with it's beautiful display, and making people feel at home. This building should be protected and cared for as it has protected and cared for it's community. Please save the Tower Theatre.
I love Anthony Flores on a personal level, while I also absolutely believe that the Tower Theater is and should be a public space, not to be owned and controlled by a religious organization. A public/private combo agreement seems to me the best possible scenario for the Tower community as a whole. I am all for RENTING the space to any organization, religious or not, but ownership should be public/private and non religious.
I support the purchase of the Tower theater by the City, to preserve the iconic center of this arts/entertainment district, to be available without bias as a public rentable space, as a historical landmark whose protection should be preserved by the city, and to keep the local businesses that have defined the neighborhood for decades going. I say this a person of faith who has spent a lot of time in the area, has friends who live in the neighborhood, and who is very hopeful, even praying, that this purchase will move forward successfully.
As a current resident and new business owner in the Tower District, I fully support the City of Fresno’s acquisition of the Tower Theatre.
Tower Theater is a historical landmark of the city, and the defining landmark of the Tower District. For many years I could see it from my bedroom window. As the city aim to serve its constituents, it should purchase the Tower Theater to ensure it continues on as an important, and iconic part of the Tower District community. There is no need for a church (or any other disruptive group) to occupy the Tower Theater. There is already a large Christian presence in the Tower District through the work of the Catholic Diocese of Fresno. The Shrine of St. Therese is just up the street, and Catholic Charities is less than a mile away. Allowing outside purchase wouldn't bring anything to the community, as we already have a large, integrated, and peaceful Catholic community in the Tower District. The looming threat of outside purchase by a hostile third party presents a clear threat to the community, and the City of Fresno at large. For these reasons, I am totally and unequivocally in favor of the City of Fresno purchasing this historic landmark to maintain it as a staple of Tower District and the City of Fresno.
Dear Council Members, Tower Theater must be purchased and dedicated a historical building. Tower Theater is Fresno. It is one of the most recognizable buildings not just in the City of Fresno but for the entire County. Generations of families have memories of seeing their first film or performance. It brings unique events that are specific to the area. I grew up in Fresno have live here or in Clovis my entire life and I know that I am not alone when I say that it would be devastating to lose such an iconic landmark in our City.
I fully support the City of Fresno’s purchase of the Tower Theatre. It is a cultural landmark and an opportunity for revenue for the area.
Please protect this beautiful and historical Fresno landmark and save it from being home to bigots. Tower should continue to be a welcoming, artistic hub where visitors and native community alike can experience what Fresno has to offer. Please approve acquisition of the Tower Theater!
As a cultural landmark of Fresno, the tower theater should be owned by the city so it can continue to benefit the community in an inclusive way.
As a current resident in the Tower District, I fully support the City of Fresno’s acquisition of the Tower Theatre.
I support the city's purchase and preservation of the Tower Theatre. Operating this historic theater as a space for the entire community will ensure that zoning ordinances are respected and that the unique culture and economy of Fresno's main arts and entertainment district are maintained.
I support the city purchasing the Tower Theater! This would be a great cultural win for Fresno. Think of all the great community run events we could have! It is our responsibility to preserve this historical landmark for generations to come and cultivate our culture and communities.
Please save our landmark theater and the Tower neighborhood from this rigid private ownership.
I support the city’s purchase of Tower Theater and am excited to see the city bring some peace to the residents and businesses of this community.