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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    Kim Paniagua over 2 years ago

    I strongly support the city's purchasing of the Tower Theatre in my community. Since the start of the sale to A.C. I have seen our community change from welcoming to more defensive as the surrounding culture has become threatened by archaical conformity under the guise of public service. The Tower Theatre has always been a pinnacle in our neighborhood and it would be a shame to see its history be erased and our loving, welcoming community tarnished by a religious organization who's intent is to proselytize a lifestyle they deem as fit for all who live there. Let's keep the Tower thriving and blooming as a central art hub that attracts out-of-towners and stimulates our local economy. Multiple local businesses will continue to benefit from not rezoning and allowing tower to stay "weird." This is what Tower residents want.
    City of Fresno, help us continue to make us better!

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    Chris Christopher over 2 years ago

    Yes please but the Tower Theatre

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    Jennifer Blackman over 2 years ago

    I STRONGLY SUPPORT MY TAX DOLLARS BEING SPENT TO BUY TOWER THEATER. Doing so well help preserve the culture and safety of the LGBTQIA+ Community that is a part of the Tower District.

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    Jeremy Hitch over 2 years ago

    The tower theater is a beacon and landmark of Fresno and deserves to be protected at all costs.

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    Kels T over 2 years ago

    I OPPOSE the city of Fresno purchasing the tower theater. The city didn’t even want to buy Tower Theater until they realized Adventure Church wanted to buy it. The church is the one being harassed every morning due to hateful people. Yet the church still loves people, loves Jesus, and loves making connections. I don’t see anything wrong in simply purchasing a building that no one even wanted in the first place.

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    Adrianna Thompson over 2 years ago

    The city should not interfere with a private sell. Did anyone really care about the tower theatre until they found out a church was buying it? Tax dollars should be used for something that is more beneficial to our city.

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    Ruby Garrison over 2 years ago

    I oppose city of fresno trying to make a purchase of the Tower Theater.
    My household and I do not agree for our tax dollars to be waisted on something that is not necessary. The $6.5 million should be used on whats truely needed such as schools, parks or better yet a place for homeless where they can campout and our city won't look or be so dirty.

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    Marycela Pacheco over 2 years ago

    IT’s ALL ABOUT THE MONEY!
    City of Fresno is playing with my money, your money, our money! And doing with it what I do not want. They are proposing using Park Building money to purchase the building, rather than what the taxpayers voted on initially-building a park for tower kids. All while people have to break into tower school grounds to have a place to play and gather-then come Monday, students find drugs, drug paraphernalia, used condoms, etc. on school grounds…my 5 year old put in his pocket a glass piece of a pipe with drug substance picked up on school grounds at the kinder playground-because he “thought it looked cool”, and didn’t know what it was.
    Stop misusing my tax dollars, stop doing what your constituents don’t want you to do.
    Start doing your jobs! Clean up tower streets, clean up the homelessness problem, hold businesses accountable for the garbage around their buildings, clean up the used needles and crack pipes tower kids find all the time right outside their school grounds walking to and from school, fill in pot holes, etc. so much to work on.
    District 1 is the worse kept Fresno City District! Our councilwoman simply does not care about her District and constituents. Shame on her! Shame on all you who entertain her unprofessionalism & scams. Just checkout Granite Park and all of the fraudulent activities there!
    FALLOW THE MONEY!!
    *I said, what I said, read it again and do what you promised us.

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    Stephanie Ferguson over 2 years ago

    This is a misuse of power and taxpayers money. How does this benefit the City of Fresno by using money to bail people out of lawsuits? The city has no business inserting itself into a private sale. There are many areas of the City that are in need if they decide that measure P money can be used for anything they want.

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    Erika Castanon over 2 years ago

    It’s been a long bitter battle and if the city chooses to intervene then I think it’s best. Also Church question why you think it’s wise to use your congregations money to impose your will on the area?

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    Scott Gabrielson over 2 years ago

    Please drive around Fresno today, and then explain how THIS is the best use of our tax dollars at the moment. Now we get the opportunity to see if you actually listen to the tax payers, or maybe this city is being run by a small fringe element. Your constituents are watching..

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    Naomi Martinez over 2 years ago

    The City is wasting tax payers dollars interfering. I oppose the illegal immoral sale to the city.

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    Erin Schuurman over 2 years ago

    The church has entered into a lawful purchase agreement and is only facing opposition from the radical left who wants God out of everything. The protestors have been obscene, offensive, lacking in tolerance and goodwill toward everyone who enters the church or supports them. They often dox, harass, follow, curse, slander, mock and threaten anyone attending or counter protesting. The city is bending the knee to a part of the community that wants to further destroy the family unit, the faith community, and our beautiful city. They will stop at nothing to further marginalize and demonize Christians, or any organization that upholds biblical beliefs, because they don’t agree with it. The city should address ALL citizens interests, and not use tax payer monies to push out a body of believers who want nothing more then to worship and uplift the community in Tower. I have personally attended the services, and the people are nothing less then kind and welcoming. Considering the church is made up of primarily “minority” attendees, it is all too apparent that politics are at play here, they don’t fit the mold of what the left supports, then they aren’t worthy of protection and government support. Shameful. Fresno is headed in the wrong direction if this is the way we are going to treat churches.
    Maybe Granite Park should get similar attention and scrutiny, Soria and Arias.

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    Kathryn Ervin over 2 years ago

    STOP Diverting tax dollars away from real, tangible needs of Fresnans in areas where tax funds help most and reap the greatest returns.

    Do NOT SQUANDER Fresno Taxpayer,'s hard-earned Money on a Poor-Returns Agenda.

    City Council of Fresno, STOP betraying Fresnans through taxation without representation.

    MEET Real Needs of Fresnans in city areas where tax funded help does the most tangible good with the greatest returns.

    STOP. Don't divert city funds away from other deserving needy areas of Fresno that would be be better off with economic, safety, and infrastructure improvements.

    The City of Fresno has a Poor Historical Record of Failings, when it has involved itself with management, control, and ownership of properties and businesses in the past.

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    Claire Evans over 2 years ago

    Please please take ownership

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    Judy Murdock over 2 years ago

    I oppose the City of Fresno purchase of the Tower Theater. We should be using our tax dollars for more great and positive changes in our city. This is a misuse of taxpayers dollars. As someone born and raised in Fresno it's appalling how this has even been in discussion. As a taxpayer we have road work needed to be fixed that will benefit EVERYONE not just a select few people there's plenty of homeless people who need help with housing, food etc. The list goes on and on let's start making Fresno something everyone can be proud of.

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    Hillary Wippert over 2 years ago

    Do not use my tax dollars to steal a building. Adventure Church has been serving the community for years. Suddenly, it's an issue? We are not stupid.

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    Tricia Nekola over 2 years ago

    As a Tower District home owner I support the Tower theater being purchased by Fresno. The theater needs to stay the heart of Tower District free of religious interference. The church needs to follow zoning laws just like other business.

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    Maria Perez over 2 years ago

    I strongly support the city's purchase of the Tower Theater!!

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    Aaron Martinez over 2 years ago

    I oppose the city’s efforts to buy the Tower Theater and should invest their efforts and this money into the community and betterment of existing community buildings