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.
I support the City of Fresno purchasing the Tower Theater. Fresno does not need to lose yet another historic building - especially a theater - to a church.
I do not support the city’s misuse of power and money to interfere with A private purchase the Tower Theatre. My tax dollars are better spent elsewhere, such as improvements in low poverty homelessness.
I fully support the city purchasing the Tower Theatre property. The one of a kind historic property needs to be looked after and preserved. I think it will be a positive asset for the city.
I strongly oppose the City of Fresno’s purchase of Tower Theater. The City of Fresno is interfering in a private sale and its interference is a misuse of taxpayer money.
Thank you for stepping in and doing what the city should have done years ago. The Tower Theater is an iconic piece of Fresno history. Preservation, protection and restoration are the city’s responsibilities. I wish the city took more keen interest in preserving other theaters as well!
I support the city purchasing the Tower Theater. Adventure Church does not belong in the Tower District. The church acted in bad faith by conspiring to buy the Tower Theater outright, without giving the Sequoia Brewing Company the first right of refusal - as was their contractual prerogative. "Pastor" Anthony has verbally and physically intimidated protestors, they have aligned themselves with the right-wing extremist group the Proud Boys, and they have disseminated homophobic rhetoric. The Church's congregation has demonstrated that they are not interested in integrating into the community peacefully, and therefore do not belong in the Tower District. I believe that city buying the Tower District is the only way to end this feud.
Also, sources indicate that Anthony Flores has a micropenis.
I do not support the city of Fresno buying the Tower theatre. Adventure church has invested so much into the building and the community. As a member of Adventure Church, I have served on Sunday mornings at 6:30 am and have taken part and seen how we take care of the building and parking lot. From sweeping up broken glass, to vacuuming the entire theatre. Doesn’t make sense to be against people who truly value the Theatre.
City ownership of the Tower Theater is the only way to ensure equitable use of such an important landmark. The unique culture and community of the Tower District is worth preserving from both an economic and moral position.
I am writing to express my support for city ownership of the Tower Theatre. For 15 months, the Tower District has been under threat of losing its economic base and cultural uniqueness because of the unlawful use of the Tower Theatre in violation of zoning. This zoning violation has been the cause of division and conflict in the neighborhood and has attracted violent right-wing extremists who have threatened Tower District residents.
City ownership of the Tower Theatre will solve these problems with one decisive stroke. The Tower District will not have peace until the Tower Theatre is again operating as a theater within the existing zoning laws. When the zoning and conditional use permits of Tower businesses are no longer at risk, the Tower District can get back to business providing all of Fresno with a fun, eclectic, artistic nightlife scene.
I applaud the leadership that the City Council has shown in taking bold action to resolve this conflict. I support city ownership of the Tower Theatre 100%.
I am writing to express my support for city ownership of the Tower Theatre. For months and months, Adventure Church has been operating in violation of zoning ordinances, ignoring the directives of the City Manager and City Attorney. This has created conflict and business insecurity in the economic center of our nightlife district.
City ownership of the Tower Theatre will solve these problems with one decisive stroke. There is currently no reason why the current owner of the theatre cannot sell to the city, is doing so willingly, and the city would be preserving the economics and culture of Fresno, investing in the long-term growth and stability of a neighborhood vital to ALL of Fresno.
I strongly support the City of Fresno purchasing the Tower Theater and preserving this historical venue. As a 55 year resident of Fresno, I watched movies there as a child and have enjoyed many film festivals and artistic events over the years. It would be wonderful if future generations had the opportunity to enjoy it as well.
I don’t agree or support the city of Fresno stepping in and purchasing Tower Theater. I believe it’s unethical and poor use of our tax paying dollars. Please don’t not pass this!
There are enough historic buildings in Fresno owned by churches already. More importantly, though, the sale of the theater to the church would threaten a great number of businesses in the neighborhood. Given that some of the church's loudest supporters are Proud Boys and people who think the residents of the neighborhood are nuisances who need saving, I don't see how their ownership of the most iconic building in the neighborhood would be of any benefit to the people who actually live and work nearby, many of whom are unhoused, queer, trans, low-income, and/or make their living in the bars and nightclubs.
I support the City of Fresno purchasing the Tower Theater. Fresno does not need to lose yet another historic building - especially a theater - to a church.
City should stay out of the sale of a private own business.
I do not support the city’s misuse of power and money to interfere with A private purchase the Tower Theatre. My tax dollars are better spent elsewhere, such as improvements in low poverty homelessness.
I fully support the city purchasing the Tower Theatre property. The one of a kind historic property needs to be looked after and preserved. I think it will be a positive asset for the city.
oppose
I strongly oppose the City of Fresno’s purchase of Tower Theater. The City of Fresno is interfering in a private sale and its interference is a misuse of taxpayer money.
Thank you for stepping in and doing what the city should have done years ago. The Tower Theater is an iconic piece of Fresno history. Preservation, protection and restoration are the city’s responsibilities. I wish the city took more keen interest in preserving other theaters as well!
Adventure church has changed my life as well as many others Pastor Anthony is a amazing Pastor we welcome anyone that seeks God 🙏💯
Keep tower weird!
I definitely do not appreciate the bullying from those leading the effort to interfere with Adventure Church's legal purchase of the Tower Theater.
I support the city purchasing the Tower Theater. Adventure Church does not belong in the Tower District. The church acted in bad faith by conspiring to buy the Tower Theater outright, without giving the Sequoia Brewing Company the first right of refusal - as was their contractual prerogative. "Pastor" Anthony has verbally and physically intimidated protestors, they have aligned themselves with the right-wing extremist group the Proud Boys, and they have disseminated homophobic rhetoric. The Church's congregation has demonstrated that they are not interested in integrating into the community peacefully, and therefore do not belong in the Tower District. I believe that city buying the Tower District is the only way to end this feud.
Also, sources indicate that Anthony Flores has a micropenis.
Do the right thing, preserve Tower!
I do not support the city of Fresno buying the Tower theatre. Adventure church has invested so much into the building and the community. As a member of Adventure Church, I have served on Sunday mornings at 6:30 am and have taken part and seen how we take care of the building and parking lot. From sweeping up broken glass, to vacuuming the entire theatre. Doesn’t make sense to be against people who truly value the Theatre.
City ownership of the Tower Theater is the only way to ensure equitable use of such an important landmark. The unique culture and community of the Tower District is worth preserving from both an economic and moral position.
Dear City Council Members:
I am writing to express my support for city ownership of the Tower Theatre. For 15 months, the Tower District has been under threat of losing its economic base and cultural uniqueness because of the unlawful use of the Tower Theatre in violation of zoning. This zoning violation has been the cause of division and conflict in the neighborhood and has attracted violent right-wing extremists who have threatened Tower District residents.
City ownership of the Tower Theatre will solve these problems with one decisive stroke. The Tower District will not have peace until the Tower Theatre is again operating as a theater within the existing zoning laws. When the zoning and conditional use permits of Tower businesses are no longer at risk, the Tower District can get back to business providing all of Fresno with a fun, eclectic, artistic nightlife scene.
I applaud the leadership that the City Council has shown in taking bold action to resolve this conflict. I support city ownership of the Tower Theatre 100%.
Sincerely yours,
Dawn Deis
330 W Sierra Ave Apt 132, Fresno, CA 93704
I support the city’s purchase of Tower Theater.
I am writing to express my support for city ownership of the Tower Theatre. For months and months, Adventure Church has been operating in violation of zoning ordinances, ignoring the directives of the City Manager and City Attorney. This has created conflict and business insecurity in the economic center of our nightlife district.
City ownership of the Tower Theatre will solve these problems with one decisive stroke. There is currently no reason why the current owner of the theatre cannot sell to the city, is doing so willingly, and the city would be preserving the economics and culture of Fresno, investing in the long-term growth and stability of a neighborhood vital to ALL of Fresno.
I strongly support the City of Fresno purchasing the Tower Theater and preserving this historical venue. As a 55 year resident of Fresno, I watched movies there as a child and have enjoyed many film festivals and artistic events over the years. It would be wonderful if future generations had the opportunity to enjoy it as well.
I don’t agree or support the city of Fresno stepping in and purchasing Tower Theater. I believe it’s unethical and poor use of our tax paying dollars. Please don’t not pass this!
There are enough historic buildings in Fresno owned by churches already. More importantly, though, the sale of the theater to the church would threaten a great number of businesses in the neighborhood. Given that some of the church's loudest supporters are Proud Boys and people who think the residents of the neighborhood are nuisances who need saving, I don't see how their ownership of the most iconic building in the neighborhood would be of any benefit to the people who actually live and work nearby, many of whom are unhoused, queer, trans, low-income, and/or make their living in the bars and nightclubs.