Meeting Time: April 21, 2022 at 9:00am PDT
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Agenda Item

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.

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    Elizabeth Guzman over 2 years ago

    Pastor Anthony and Mandy have built a strong congregation. A place to call home for so many broken souls. We are so thankful to them and his assistant Pastors who have made a difference in our lives.

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    R Harwood over 2 years ago

    I 100% Oppose the City stepping in to purchase The Tower Theater. This deal stinks. If once owned by the City, you can forget about ever renting the Theater out for Local Shows and Events unless you’re willing and able to pay 8-10 thousand dollars. Forget about the 2,500-3,000 deals made with private ownership for shows on Thursday or Friday nights. This is a death blow to the arts in the area as we know it. Besides all this nonsense is based on a false narrative anyway. There was never a need for zoning change. Liquor Licenses and Conditional Use Permits were never at risk. The Theater was always intended to stay just that… A Theater! The historic Tower Theater has gone through many updates and upgrades over the last year. The Church as I’ve always understood it intended to keep it a Theater and have its Services there Sunday Morning’s. What is the harm in that?!?!?! Absolutely None! This isn’t about the Private Sale of The Theater to a Religious Organization. It’s about control. The City knows how valuable that parking lot is to The Tower District. That’s why they’ve been working under the radar since last January to acquire it. I think our Tax Dollars should be spent more constructively dealing with the issues of Crime, Homelessness and Environmental Governance. Instead of blocking the sale of the Tower Theater to Adventure Community Church.

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    Sabrina Rojas over 2 years ago

    Thank you Fresno for purchasing tower theatre a great and important part of keeping tower the way its always been, WELCOMING! I completely support!
    Keep tower weird! 🥰

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    Jenna Gurnard over 2 years ago

    I am in support of the city purchasing the Tower Theater.

    ANYONE but adventure church.

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    Nicole MacIntosh over 2 years ago

    I strongly oppose the city’s purchase of the Tower Theatre.

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    Kim Vasquez over 2 years ago

    I oppose the city wasting tax payers money purchasing the Tower. Adventure Church is still in escrow and has the right to purchase the Tower. The Tower District needs Adventure Church! Jesus went where he wasn’t wanted too.

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    Brett MacIntosh over 2 years ago

    The city has been planning the takeover as soon as they heard that Adventure Church was going to buy the property. Also, the church needed to rezone to have church in that area but when the city buys it they don’t need to rezone to have church there. Why is that a thing?

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    Tina Jones over 2 years ago

    I've been a Tower resident and active in the Tower community for over 20 years and I strongly support the city's purchase of the Tower Theatre and enforcement of the neighborhood's zoning laws. Fresno's main arts and entertainment district should be protected.

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    Angel Alonso over 2 years ago

    City of Fresno, leave the church alone and use my tax dollars to fix something else ex. Streets&Homeless. The church is only there 1 day out of the week and your upset about it?

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    M K over 2 years ago

    Fully support City of Fresno purchasing Tower Theater. It’s a historic landmark that could attract much larger with proper management. Revenue from better quality events could greatly help the Tower community.

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    Soledad Freeman over 2 years ago

    I am in support of the City of Fresno acquiring the Tower Theatre and preserving it as a historic landmark. Tower has been a mainstay of being welcoming and inclusive - and the Tower Theatre has been a symbol of that. The preservation of this site would retain a place to welcome everyone and prevent a messy rezoning process for so many other restaurants, bars, and beloved establishments in our neighborhood. Council, please support this acquisition. Support our Tower District.

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    Bianca M over 2 years ago

    I oppose the city of Fresno purchasing Tower Theater.

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    J Garcia over 2 years ago

    Let the owner sell to whomever they chose to sell it to.

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    Celeste Sarabian over 2 years ago

    I support the city purchase! Adventure Church has brought nothing but hate and discord to the area!

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    Lupe G over 2 years ago

    I oppose city purchase of Tower Theater.

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    Vincent Zuniga over 2 years ago

    I strongly disagree with City of Fresno purchasing Tower Theatre.

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    Brittney Jennings over 2 years ago

    I support the city purchasing the Tower Theater.

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    Charles Taito over 2 years ago

    I believe the city of Fresno should focus on fixing problems like prostitution that is still happening in Fresno and homeless a lot of families are on st

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    Esther Guzman over 2 years ago

    I strongly oppose the city of Fresno’s move to purchase Tower Theater. The theater is being well kept and improved with the help of Adventure Church. The city on the other hand has already failed the Veterans Memorial Auditorium and failed in their dealings with Granite Park, all at the expense of tax payer dollars. Adventure Church has been generous as renters and buyers who are still in Escrow by the way! The city has interfered illegally.

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    WILLIAM KELLEY over 2 years ago

    I fully support the purchase of the tower theater by the city of Fresno. The church has been violating zoning rules and does not have the support of the tower district community.