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.
As a resident of the Tower District, I 100% support this purchase. I applaud the City Council for taking bold leadership to resolve this conflict and stopping the unlawful use of the Tower Theater.
I strongly oppose the city interfering with the legal sale of the Historic Tower Theater. I do not agree that my tax money be wasted in this way. Adventure Church has been noble and honorable, making beneficial improvements to the building since they’ve been in it. Their character has shown and their love for the community is felt. Shame on you Fresno City Council Members and Mayor Dyer. Use your time and our money elsewhere, for the homeless, for the drug problem and for our children in this community. Let Adventure Church continue to be the good upstanding people they are.
100% support my city finally doing what’s right. Should have stepped in ages ago, the tower community has endured so much fighting to preserve this one corner of Fresno & keep the arts alive!
I strongly support the city purchase of the Tower Theatre. City ownership will allow for the theaters history and meaning to be preserved. The Tower was built to be a place of Art and Culture, and we need to return to that line of thought!
This beautiful theater is in danger of being lost to the ages because of misuse and neglect by it's owners. We need to preserve and protect this beutiful piece of living history before it is destroyed. Please allow the City to step in and use its resouces so that art and history is not lost to time.
The Tower Theater is an iconic figure and representitive of the cultural arts district, the impact of it's loss would be felt for so many generations to come.
This beautiful theater is in danger of being lost to the ages because of misuse and neglect by it's owners. We need to preserve and protect this beutiful piece of living history before it is destroyed. Please allow the City to step in and use its resouces so that art and history is not lost to time.
The Tower Theater is an iconic figure and representitive of the cultural arts district, the impact of it's loss would be felt for so many generations to come.
I strongly oppose for the city of Fresno to use our tax dollars to purchase the historic tower theatre. To use our tax dollars, and to interfere with a private sale is not ok! If this is happening now, what will happen next? Our tax dollars should go towards something more beneficial to Fresno.
There is no reason for the city to be involved in a private purchase of property or to use tax payer dollars for a sweetheart deal to friends of the city council.
I wholeheartedly support the city purchasing the Tower Theatre. City ownership will allow for the theater itself to be preserved and for the neighborhood to thrive.
I oppose the city interupting the private sale of The Tower Theatre to Adventure Church. I oppose the city spending tax dollars on their lawyer fees and on items for their own agenda. Very unethical.
Fully support this purchase even with the City's very spotty track record.
For months the Tower District has had its very existence threatened by the unlawful use of the Tower Theatre in violation of existing zoning regulations. The entertainment industry is already struggling thanks to the pandemic.
Since the religious organization inserted itself, Tower residents have been subjected to anti-LGBTQ protests, had White Nationalists sitting in cars parked outside our homes weekly, and the church itself has made very clear their specific intent to change the character of the area.
The City has aggravated this issue and allowed it to continue for over a year.
City ownership of the Tower Theatre will finally resolve this issue and remove the threat to the local nightlife industry while ensuring that the Theater and the District remain relatively free of bigotry.
Strongly oppose of what the city is trying to do. This is a private sale yet the city continues to interfere illegally. Adventure is investing into tower and doing nothing bad. Council members are shady and this decision is showing their true colors
I support the proposal of the city to purchase the Tower Theatre and make it an historic site. I also support the steps they have proposed as a resolution to the friction around the sale. I also agree with the sale of part of the land to Sequoia brewing, who has been a long time member of the Tower community. This solution as a package is the best way forward for us as a community.
I want the City to buy this historical and iconic theatre to secure the Tower District atmosphere and businesses
I support the city purchasing Tower Theatre
As a resident of the Tower District, I 100% support this purchase. I applaud the City Council for taking bold leadership to resolve this conflict and stopping the unlawful use of the Tower Theater.
I oppose the city interfering in the private sale of the tower theatre to adventure church.
I strongly oppose the city interfering with the legal sale of the Historic Tower Theater. I do not agree that my tax money be wasted in this way. Adventure Church has been noble and honorable, making beneficial improvements to the building since they’ve been in it. Their character has shown and their love for the community is felt. Shame on you Fresno City Council Members and Mayor Dyer. Use your time and our money elsewhere, for the homeless, for the drug problem and for our children in this community. Let Adventure Church continue to be the good upstanding people they are.
100% support my city finally doing what’s right. Should have stepped in ages ago, the tower community has endured so much fighting to preserve this one corner of Fresno & keep the arts alive!
I support the city purchasing Tower Theatre.
I strongly support the city purchase of the Tower Theatre. City ownership will allow for the theaters history and meaning to be preserved. The Tower was built to be a place of Art and Culture, and we need to return to that line of thought!
I oppose the city getting involved in this matter and making a bid for the purchase of The Tower Theater, very unethical and unnecessary!
I support Fresno City in purchasing tower theatre. This historic theatre belongs to Tower and it's people.
This beautiful theater is in danger of being lost to the ages because of misuse and neglect by it's owners. We need to preserve and protect this beutiful piece of living history before it is destroyed. Please allow the City to step in and use its resouces so that art and history is not lost to time.
The Tower Theater is an iconic figure and representitive of the cultural arts district, the impact of it's loss would be felt for so many generations to come.
This beautiful theater is in danger of being lost to the ages because of misuse and neglect by it's owners. We need to preserve and protect this beutiful piece of living history before it is destroyed. Please allow the City to step in and use its resouces so that art and history is not lost to time.
The Tower Theater is an iconic figure and representitive of the cultural arts district, the impact of it's loss would be felt for so many generations to come.
I strongly oppose for the city of Fresno to use our tax dollars to purchase the historic tower theatre. To use our tax dollars, and to interfere with a private sale is not ok! If this is happening now, what will happen next? Our tax dollars should go towards something more beneficial to Fresno.
There is no reason for the city to be involved in a private purchase of property or to use tax payer dollars for a sweetheart deal to friends of the city council.
I wholeheartedly support the city purchasing the Tower Theatre. City ownership will allow for the theater itself to be preserved and for the neighborhood to thrive.
I oppose the city interupting the private sale of The Tower Theatre to Adventure Church. I oppose the city spending tax dollars on their lawyer fees and on items for their own agenda. Very unethical.
Fully support this purchase even with the City's very spotty track record.
For months the Tower District has had its very existence threatened by the unlawful use of the Tower Theatre in violation of existing zoning regulations. The entertainment industry is already struggling thanks to the pandemic.
Since the religious organization inserted itself, Tower residents have been subjected to anti-LGBTQ protests, had White Nationalists sitting in cars parked outside our homes weekly, and the church itself has made very clear their specific intent to change the character of the area.
The City has aggravated this issue and allowed it to continue for over a year.
City ownership of the Tower Theatre will finally resolve this issue and remove the threat to the local nightlife industry while ensuring that the Theater and the District remain relatively free of bigotry.
Strongly oppose of what the city is trying to do. This is a private sale yet the city continues to interfere illegally. Adventure is investing into tower and doing nothing bad. Council members are shady and this decision is showing their true colors
I support the proposal of the city to purchase the Tower Theatre and make it an historic site. I also support the steps they have proposed as a resolution to the friction around the sale. I also agree with the sale of part of the land to Sequoia brewing, who has been a long time member of the Tower community. This solution as a package is the best way forward for us as a community.
I don't support the city purchasing the tower theatre they never cared about it til now. Also Frankly it’s illegal to interfere with the purchase.