[ad_1]
Thursday, castro merchant vote conditionally for another planet entertainment(APE) Proposed Modifications The 100-year-old Castro Theater.
The vote happened the same week that the SF Board of Supervisors Land Use Committee Vote postponed for two weeks exist Update landmark status Historic Castro Theater. A week later, Heklina, a major figure in San Francisco’s drag scene, transfer, organizers hope to use the theater to celebrate her unannounced life. The vote was passed with two abstentions and one veto.
castro merchant President Terrance Alan originally filed a three-part motion that included: preparation of an economic impact statement, contractual agreement between Castro Merchants and APE, and APE’s agreement to continue participating in good faith negotiations convened by Mandelman’s supervisor’s office.
“I think it strikes a consensus in the room and shows that the democratic process has found a compromise,” Allen told Hoodline. “The work ahead is in the details, which shifts a lot of responsibility to the supervisor. I am confident that with the continued support and advice of his constituents, he will be up to the task.”
Inside the Castro Theater. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
“It leaves many members of the Castro Theater Alliance without direct support, and I hope the theater continues to serve the community and reflect its values,” Allen added. “Celebrating Heklina’s life is a perfect example and we have no other space for an event like this. Ensuring that the theater is available for community gatherings is critical and there is nothing in our motion to support that.”
APE Senior Vice President Mary Conde, Commercial Vice President Dan Serot and Castro CBD Council Member Joe Sangirardi presented the proposed changes to the Castro Theatre.
Jen Reck, co-chair of the Castro LGBTQ Cultural District (CQCD) and professor at San Francisco State University, represented the Friends of the Castro Theater Alliance, who expressed concern about the lack of LGBTQ-specific programming and the removal of orchestra-level seats. [Full disclosure: Steven Bracco, Hoodline’s Castro reporter, is a board member of the CQCD and member of the Castro Theatre Coalition.]
Ultimately, Cliff’s Variety co-owner Terry Asten Bennett deleted the second part of the motion. Asten Bennett also amended part one to require APE to submit its economic impact report to the office of District 8 Superintendent Rafael Mandelman for approval. At the meeting, Kant claimed that they had made a report.
“[T]More than 50 people in that room felt blinded by Terrance [Alan] Conditional votes when all he announces to members is a yes or no vote,” Asten Bennett told Hoodline. Yes he will actually call for a second yes or no vote. “
“During the discussion, he made the comment a few times saying ‘I can end this meeting now,'” Asten Bennett added. “My negotiations with Brian Springfield, who moved the motion on Terrence’s behalf, were to create a reasonable compromise.”
Hoodline reached out to Supervisor Mandelman’s office for comment but did not immediately hear back.
4:30pm update: “Businessman feedback is important, and I think their support for the program, even conditionally, is important for APE going forward,” Mandelman told Hoodline. “My office and I continue to work with APE, community stakeholders, and the Mayor’s office to address as many legitimate concerns about the project as possible.
Mandelman added: “We have not had the opportunity to review the report nor have any details about it.”
“The data is being collated and will be delivered to Superintendent Mandelman’s office in the next few weeks,” APE spokesman David Perry told Hoodline when asked about the economic impact. authority.”
The Economic Impact Report uses readily available data to estimate. | Image: NIVA
Economic Impact Report, by National Association of Independent Venues Ask three questions—area population, venue capacity, and annual patrons.
“We’re going to apply those tools to Castro and prepare a report for the supervisor,” Perry added.
“We are contacting [Mandelman’s] The office provides support and follow-up to him so our members can stay informed about progress,” Allen said.
“As CMA Chair, my goal is to provide our members with real economic data on the impact that the APE-managed Castro Theater will have on the business world, which is reeling from the effects of COVID, inflationary pressures, interest rate hikes and The impact of the stagnation in tourism,” Allen added.
“Personally, not as President, I want assurances that the 356 ‘days’ and nearly 200 ‘nights’ theaters will be darkened at APE where no events are scheduled and that the community will continue to have equitable access to theaters,” Allen said . “[A]And why the APE continues to block negotiations with the Castro LGBTQ Cultural District, created to ensure that historic culture is not completely erased by changes in the fabric of our influential communities. “
Hoodline readers will recall this conditional approval follows Castro Merchants fall last fall Sign a letter supporting APE’s proposed renovation of the 100-year-old Castro Theater.
Despite conditional approval, Perry wrote in a statement “Castro Merchants voted fully to support Another Planet Entertainment’s plan to renovate, restore and revitalize the Castro Theater, including their adaptive seating program.” Good faith cooperation, including providing detailed information on the economic impact of theater operations.”
“Thank you to all the small businesses in Castro and the businessmen in Castro,” Perry added. “We are honored by your faith and look forward to restoring the Castro Theater to its historic architectural splendor and its historic place in the city’s cultural life, including a vibrant offering for the film and LBGTQ+ community.”
In response to the vote, CQCD co-chair Stephen Torres told Hoodline that the CQCD “supports all coalition members, including the Castro Merchant Association, as they seek to hold APE accountable as steward of our beloved Castro Theater, which is Very effective in asking for the type of data that economic impact reports provide before committing to full support.”
“As we have in our communications with APE, we reiterate the urgency and seriousness that Director Mandelman and the Land Use and Transportation Committee conveyed to APE this week, and look forward to the fact that verifiable facts and enforceable commitments to this vulnerable community have become More vulnerable to their continued lack of investment, activation and programming,” Torres added.
APE has been more than a year take over programming Castro Theater, while ownership remains with the Nasser family and Bay Properties Inc.
Ape has proposed a much-needed renovation The neglected Castro Theatre, and the removal of the orchestra-level seating and its replacement with a four-tiered platform section with movable seating.
A recent rendering of the proposed seating plan. | Image: Castro Theater
january ape Publish new renderings Its proposed changes to the seats, which include electrically tilting floors.Last month, APE released a summary Community welfare package. hoodie Visited the Castro Theater March, which included a prototype of the proposed chair.
APE said it “committed 33 percent of the theater’s programming to be dedicated to film screenings and festivals.” The Ape previously told the san francisco chronicle It intends to hold 175 events a year – keeping the theater dark for about 190 days.
last week’s Castro/Upper Market Community Welfare Area (Castro Central Business District) Circulate the petition Businessmen in the Castro region support APE’s plans.
At Monday’s hearing, Castro CBD treasurer Ralph Hibbs said more than 100 businesses had signed up. Hibbs and Castro CBD executive director Andrea Aiello declined to provide Hoodline with a full list of supporters.
Part of the petition states, “We, the undersigned below, support Another Planet Entertainment’s proposal to restore the historic Castro Theater. Another Planet is committing $15 million to restore this historic theater to its original glory.”
“The petition gives voice to business owners who can’t afford to spend hours in public hearings,” Hibbs told Hoodline. “Collecting petition signatures only to appear at the hearing.”
In response to the petition, Allen told bay area reporter“I want a process where members vote on it at the public member meeting we just had. I’m disappointed that CBD joined another planet to get a head start by handing out petitions to poorly worded businesses.”
[ad_2]
Source link