Save ECPAC - East County Performing Arts Center

This Page: https://https://copswiki.org/Common/SaveECPAC

ECPAC THEATER TO REOPEN

The ECPAC theater has been closed for about 8 years now. It was very sad when they first closed it as there were many arts organizations that were relying on it. The 70+ year-old Grossmont Community Concerts Association (founded in 1947) folded last year. Now, we finally see some good news. The City of El Cajon is about to approve a contract with LiveNation, the leading event management company in the nation. Wondering if LiveNation can run the ECPAC theater is like wondering if Starbucks can run a coffee shop.

The plans sound good at this point. $375K per year in management fees, plus LiveNation staff will work for the City. All receipts will be applied to expenses, with the expectation that it probably will not break even, but no theaters of this type do. What the theater provides is a reason for people to come to El Cajon from other places in the County. The fact that they have delayed this long to get it opened again is beyond reason.

At the Sept. 26, 2017 City council meeting, City Manager Williford described the deal and answered a number of questions. You can view it at this link. Skip to offset 40:00 minutes.

View Video of Sept 26, 2017 City Council Meeting

I. notice they are planning to install beverage holders in the seat arms, which we recommended in our development proposal back in (I think) 2012 or so, but they blew off as a stupid idea. It is simply a reality that a theater like this must rely on refreshments and other sales to get close to breaking even.

I. am proud to say that Citizens Oversight worked hard to provide a working proposal to run the theater but we could not reach the City Council at that time, but I daresay LiveNation probably will follow many of our recommendations. One big thing the city is planning is to replace the A/C system because it is very old now and they will save quite a lot with a new more efficient model.

I. understand that the City Council will entertain and probably approve the contract at the next meeting. I encourage you to attend if you can in support of this big change to East County. I will give you another reminder prior to the meeting. Please consider a donation to Citizens Oversight at this link: http://CitizensOversight.org/donate

--Ray Lutz

NEW THREAT: RockChurchEcpacTakeover

So we stopped the demolition of the theater so the city could build a motel. Now the latest threat: the huge Rock Church that wants to takeover the facility for all Sundays (from 4am to 11pm), all Tuesday nights, one Friday and Saturday per month, and special holidays; and wants to build a 20,000 sqft facility adjacent to the theater for their permanent offices and Sunday School rooms. Should the City be in the business of helping a specific Church use this singular space in the government super block? WE THINK NOT! See more below!

[ ](https://copswiki.org/w/pub/Common/SaveECPAC/SaveOurStageFlier_2up_v2.1.jpg)

Sub-projects

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Our Proposal

Read the Proposal to operate the theater from the ECPAC Foundation! Click Here

• SaveEcpacPresentationV1.1.ppt: Presentation of the Proposal by the ECPAC Foundation, V1.1

Background

The East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) is an 1142-seat performing arts center with excellent audio characteristics, theatrical rigging, audio and lighting systems. It was built using money from the Grossmont Community College District on El Cajon City property adjacent to the Council Chambers, City Hall, and the County Courthouse, outfitted from donations from the community, and opened in 1977. The theater was initially operated by Grossmont College. Ownership was transferred to the City of El Cajon for $0 in 1995, with the written directive that the theater was to be operated for "civic purposes." The theater was operated for a while by the Christian Community Theater (CCT) and then by the 501(c)3 Arts Center Foundation (ACF). The city wanted to perform maintenance and renovate the facility and avoid prevailing wage rules, so they loaned money to the ACF so they could handle the renovations, with the understanding that the city would later forgive the loan. However, they did not forgive it, and instead, used this debt as rationale to terminate the operating arrangement with the ACF and turn it back over to CCT. (There has been some speculation that avoiding prevailing wage rules in this manner may have been illegal and to so forgiving the debt would not have been possible, and eliminating the ACF may have been necessary to avoid further scrutiny of the deed, but in fact, essentially forgive the loan through the dissolution of the ACF) The CCT ran the theater for five years and then the theater was closed Jan 2010, reportedly due to difficulties of operating it during construction of the new Police/Fire Station ("Safety Center") and due to budgetary concerns.

The CCT runs a drama school which caters primarily to elementary through high school students who, for a fee, are included in various theatrical presentations which ran at the theater. Unfortunately, the CCT did not attempt to bring in headliner acts to any great extent, and the requirement to do so was stricken from their agreement. The result was that the theater was mainly used for poorly attended CCT events and was rented out to other renters. The Grossmont Community Concerts Association (GCCA) was an example of a renter who ran a half dozen events during the year to a subscription-based audience, and always had sell-out crowds. Although the CCT includes a religious reference in their name "Christian Community Theater," they were careful to point out that they do not run worship services at the facility, and they were no more religious than the YMCA.

In March, 2010,consultant Kurt Swanson was hired to review the theater and make a proposal to reorient the theater as a "road house," i.e. picking up traveling shows that will be a draw for theater-goers to the East County area. His proposal would cost $4.3 million.

In January, 2012, the courts ruled that redevelopment agencies would be dissolved.

In early 2012, the Safety center was completed. Landscaping, including a new duck pond, was added around the theater for $2.1 million in redevelopment funds that were previously allocated. With these changes in place, the south-west doors are now accessible from Main St. to allow use as an alternate entry/exit.

In March, 2012, the City Council voted to enter into negotiations with a developer who plans to raze the theater and replace it with a Marriott Courtyard hotel with a multipurpose room that would partially replace the ECPAC theater. This proposal was originally based on getting redevelopment funds, so it was doomed from the start, including the fact that it would cost about $2 million to raze the building.

Also in March, 2012, a community working group "SaveECPAC" began to meet. Over the next several weeks, the group toured the theater ( view video) and suggested that it could be opened for about $250K, mostly for roof repair (see summary below). The group voted to found the "ECPAC Foundation" which will operate as a nonprofit charity to allow the community to join together and raise the money required to get the theater opened once again. This effort is similar to what occurred when the theater was first opened and needed to be outfitted with seats, lights, and sound system. That effort resulted in $400K being raised. If they could to it then, we can certainly raise $250K now. It will be appropriate to ask the city of El Cajon to match what we raise.

The motel project was abandoned. In June, 2012, the ECPAC Foundation submitted a detailed plan to the city regarding our findings in terms of what was required to get the theater opened again, and a blueprint for operation. This was presented to the City Manager Douglas Williford, but were given no opportunity, other than brief three minute comments at the City Council meeting, to present our plan to the City.

Later, the ECPAC Foundation performed an audience survey of members of the public attending El Cajon's centennial celebration in late 2012. The group also performed two more theater inspections, which were video recorded, so as to document the state of the theater at that time.

In mid-2013, the City approved an RFQ process to find an architect to make detailed drawings regarding the planned changes to the theater. City Manager Douglas Williford continued to assert that his plan was to find a professional manager of the facility. However, in September, our Public Records request revealed that Williford approached the Rock Church to find out if they were interested in renting the theater, as they were about to open a branch location in El Cajon at the 29,000 sqft commercial building on Jachman St. in El Cajon (formerly a Michael's crafts supply store. Rent for this is estimated to be $25,000 per month based on the rate given to another prospective renter.

In February 2014, the agenda of the City Council included a closed session to approve further negotiations with the Rock Church. RayLutz of the ECPAC Foundation objected to the use of a closed session at the City Council meeting and then submitted a formal written objection. The city later essentially admitted this was handled incorrectly, and so issued a request for interest for major tenants of the theater. The request explicitly stated that the city was not interested in any proposals to manage the theater as a performing arts center, and the request was worded to accommodate the Rock Church. Only the Rock Church and CCT submitted proposals to use the theater as major tenants.

At the August 12, 2014 City Council Meeting, the Council voted to engage in exclusive negotiations with the Rock Church. The main points of their (initial) proposal were:

• Lease Term 10 years.
• Use the theater for all Sundays (4AM to 11PM), Christmas Eve, New Years Eve, Good Friday - Sunday (Easter weekend), 1 Friday night 4PM-10PM and all day Saturday, once per month, and Every Tuesday Evenings (6pm to 9pm) for rehearsal + Use of the facility outside the above use when nothing else is scheduled at a daily fee.
• Lease land adjacent to the theater on public land so as to build a 20,000 sqft building for church offices, Sunday school rooms, partially available to the city. The term of the lease was proposed to be 35 years at which time ownership of the building would transfer to the city.
• Approve all renovations to the theater so they would be appropriate for their use, all improvements paid for by the City.
• Monthly Rental fee of $10K.
• Rock Church will manage technical aspects of the ECPAC for church and public use.

This extensive use of the theater for religious worship services, including the lease of city property adjacent to it, in the same superblock and within steps of the City Hall, the Council Chambers, and the County Courthouse, is a violation of the establishment clause of the U.S. Constitution. The use of the theater by a specific religion implies approval of that religion by the City, with the city undoubtedly called on to help promote events at the theater. Such a partnership between the City and a Church, not allowing any other religions to use the facility during Sundays and religious holidays, is not even-handed and implies a preference for this religion as opposed to others, and for a non-religious viewpoint.

Promoting Christianity is not new to this City Council. For years, members of the City Council have advocated that we are a Christian nation, and there is no separation of church and state. Years earlier, the City ran religions and partisan videos on the Government Access channel (Cox cable channel 24) by David Barton ("Wall Builders" series) airing such titles as "Good Government is God Government", and "The Role of Pastors and Christians in Government." RayLutz complained about this process and the videos were no longer aired. The City refused to set up a community-based panel to select videos to air.

See venue technical specs, location, and demographics here: ECPAC Theater Technical Details

A bit of recent history, upcoming events

• Help with data entry from our Audience Survey. See instructions here: Audience.AudienceSurveyDataEntryInstructions. Anyone with time, a browser and computer skills can help

• 13 Mar 2012 - the City Council has proposed demolishing the ECPAC theater and replacing it with a Courtyard by Marriott Hotel with a multipurpose room.

• 26 Mar 2012 - Meeting #1 of community group SaveECPAC met at Cocos Restaurant on Main in El Cajon.
• 09 Apr 2012 - Meeting #2 of SaveECPAC at East County Chamber of Commerce Meeting Room in El Cajon.
• 23 Apr 2012 - (3p) Tour of ECPAC Theater for SaveECPAC committee, meet at the theater.
• 23 Apr 2012 - (5p) Meeting #3 of SaveECPAC at East County Chamber of Commerce Meeting Room in El Cajon.
• 07 May 2012 - (6p) Meeting #4 of SaveECPAC at El Cajon Library
• 14 May 2012 - (6p) Meeting #5 of SaveECPAC at El Cajon Library
• 21 May 2012 - (6p/7p meeting) #6 of SaveECPAC at Cocos Restaurant on Main in El Cajon
• 22 May 2012 - (1:30p) Workshop on ECPAC Demolition and Hotel Proposal at El Cajon Council Chambers.
• 29 May 2012 - (6p) Meeting #7 of SaveECPAC at Mangia Bene Restaurant
• 04 Jun 2012 - (6p) Meeting #8 of SaveECPAC at Mangia Bene Restaurant
• 11 Jun 2012 - (6p) Meeting #9 of SaveECPAC at Cocos Restaurant on Fletcher Parkway
• 12 Jun 2012 - (3p) El Cajon City Council Meeting at El Cajon Council Chambers.
• 18 Jun 2012 - (6p) Meeting #10 of SaveECPAC at Cocos Restaurant on Fletcher Parkway
• 21 Jun 2012 - (3p) Formal drop-off of the proposal to save the ECPAC theater from the ECPAC Foundation, at El Cajon City Hall. Press conference at 3pm. Delivery to City Manager at 3:30. Private meeting with the City Manager to chat about the delivery at that time (City Manager declined to appear on camera). All Save ECPAC supporters should come to this event!
• 25 Jun 2012 - (6p) ECPAC Foundation meeting at Cocos Restaurant on Fletcher Parkway - Discuss next steps after submission to the City of El Cajon and report of the submission.
• 02 Jul 2012 - (6p) ECPAC Foundation meeting at Cocos Restaurant on Fletcher Parkway
• 09 Jul 2012 - (5:30pm) El Cajon Centennial Celebration planning meeting at El Cajon Community Center - Need to coordinate with the City of El Cajon and the opening of the ECPAC theater. This will be a good time to promulgate info about our proposal to save the theater.
• 23 Jul 2012 - (6p) ECPAC Foundation meeting at ThePalms at 143 East Main St., El Cajon, CA 92020 (You can park behind the location in the parking lot off the old JC Penney lot off Douglas) Mediterranean food available.)
• 30 Jul 2012 - (3p) ECPAC Foundation Facility Committee has arranged for the theater to be open for inspection and investigations, including fly tower, concessions and piano. Meet at 5pm at the blue tables just outside the courthouse to collect our thoughts and plan for August 13 meeting.
• 06 Aug 2012 - (5:30p) Centennial Celebration Community meeting, Ronald Reagan Community Center, 195 E. Douglas Avenue in El Cajon. An update on plans for the El Cajon Centennial Celebration for Monday, November 12, 2012, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Rea Avenue & E. Main Street between Magnolia & Claydelle Avenues will be discussed. Visit www.elcajon100.com.
• 13 Aug 2012 - (6p) ECPAC Foundation will conduct a workshop at ThePalms at 143 East Main St., El Cajon, CA 92020 for any interested party to attend, especially public officials (City of El Cajon City Council, Rec. Dept, City Manager, County Supervisor Diane Jacob, etc.) and anyone who may want to help us by volunteering to head up one of our committees. Event will include a Powerpoint Presentation of our plans for the theater, description of the ECPAC Foundation committees, Q&A, and social networking.
• 27 Aug 2012 - (6p) ECPAC Foundation meeting at ThePalms at 143 East Main St., El Cajon, CA 92020 (You can park behind the location in the parking lot off the old JC Penney lot off Douglas) Mediterranean food available. Committees will break out for first 30 to 60 minutes, then plenary (common) session.
• 07 Sep 2012 - (2.30pm) Theater inspection, including review of inventory and condition of operating elements. Piano inspection by local expert Diane De Tar who wants to pull the action. City has asked us to keep the number of people to a minimum. Rob Turner has confirmed availability on this date at 2:30pm. After this event we will go to the El Cajon Brewing Company see below.
• 11 Sep 2012 - City Council meeting. Public comment on ECPAC, not on the agenda. We were asked to coordinate our information with City Manager Douglas Williford.

• 17 Sep 2012 - (6p) ECPAC Foundation Meeting at ThePalms at 143 East Main St., El Cajon, CA 92020 (You can park behind the location in the parking lot off the old JC Penney lot off Douglas) Mediterranean food available. Agenda includes review of recent tour of the theater, financial model review, and organization approval. Also we targeted this week for a 2nd public meeting, with the intention to bring in many merchants, restauranteurs, and stakeholders to hear about our plans. (Likely earlier in the week when business is low in town). Duane Swainston and Christopher Shamoon working to set this up, so we will need to review the progress.

• 29 Oct 2012 - (6p) ECPAC Foundation Meeting at ThePalms at 143 East Main St., El Cajon, CA 92020 (You can park behind the location in the parking lot off the old JC Penney lot off Douglas) Mediterranean food available. Agenda includes
  -- Plans for Nov 12 Centennial Celebration Booth
  -- Plans for Nov 13 City Council meeting with agenda item on ECPAC

• 12 Nov 2012 - The ECPAC Foundation will have a booth at the City of El Cajon Centennial Celebration, including pictures of events previously held at the theater, sign ups for audience and participants, and an overview of our vision of a new vibrant theater.

• 13 Nov 2012 - (3p) City of El Cajon will be considering the questions of reopening the theater at the City Council meeting. This is a very important meeting and we will need all hands on deck to push for reopening the theater in a way that will benefit the entire east county area. At the El Cajon Council Chambers. Project: SaveECPAC

• 09 Jul 2013 - (3p) City of El Cajon approved that staff will draft a RFQ for architect to generated detailed drawings for changes to be made to the theater.

• 13 Aug 2013 - (6p) The ECPAC Foundation will meet at the ElCajonLibrary in the first conference room (on left as you enter). The agenda of this meeting will be to review the current proposal by the City of El Cajon, consider a Citizens' Oversight Panel type of organization, and review projects which have been put on hold until we heard from the City.
• 09 Sep 2013 - Email sent by City Manager Douglas Williford asking "what is up with the Rock Church and ECPAC"

• 27 Feb 2014 - East County Performing Arts Center in talks with Rock Church
• 10 Mar 2014 - CPRA Request of City Of El Cajon Regarding ECPAC and Rock Church (never fully provided)
• 10 Mar 2014 - Formal Objection to Closed Session and ECPAC Lease Negotiations with The Rock Church -- Ray Lutz, Citizens Oversight, 2014-03-10
• 22 May 2014 - City seeks long term tenants
• 12 Aug 2014 - City council entertains proposal to finalize lease agreement with The Rock Church
• 06 Jun 2016 - Reroofing done to the facility
• 14 Feb 2017 - City Discussing negotiations with Live Nation 3pm
• 26 Sep 2017 - City council meeting, City Manager Williford described the deal and answered a number of questions. You can view it at this link. Skip to offset 40:00 minutes. View Video of Sept 26, 2017 City Council Meeting
• 12 Dec 2017 - El Cajon City Council approved management contract with Live Nation

Images

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Meeting Reports

• Save ECPAC Meeting Report 26 Mar 2012
• Save ECPAC Meeting Report 09 Apr 2012
• Save ECPAC Meeting Report 23 Apr 2012
• Save ECPAC Meeting Report 07 May 2012
• Save ECPAC Meeting Report 14 May 2012 -- At El Cajon Library
• Save ECPAC Meeting Report 21 May 2012 -- At Cocos Restaurant on Main in El Cajon
• Save ECPAC Meeting Report 29 May 2012 -- At Mangia Bene Restaurant
• Save ECPAC Meeting Report 25 Jun 2012 -- At Cocos Restaurant on Fletcher Parkway
• Save ECPAC Meeting Report 23 Jul 2012 -- At The Palms
• Save ECPAC Meeting Report 30 Jul 2012 -- At the ECPAC Theater and courthouse tables.
• Save ECPAC Meeting Report 27 Aug 2012 -- At The Palms
• ECPAC Foundation Nominating Committee -- Meet e 31 Aug 2012 at Starbucks at Main and Magnolia or UrbnElCajon
• Save ECPAC Meeting Report 17 Sep 2012 -- At The Palms
• Save ECPAC Meeting Report 13 Aug 2013 -- At the El Cajon Library

• SaveEcpacParticipants

Repairs & Enhancements Required

Taken from Kurt Swanson's conceptual plan + discussions after our tour on April 23, and Working Group conclusions on need.

• SaveECPAC rough estimate is $250K to be able to reopen it.

History

• 1975-07-19 - Groundbreaking on $2.1 million project to build the theater, won by Neilson Construction. A committee chaired by then El Cajon Mayor James Snapp and La Mesa Mayor Paul Fordem worked closely with volunteers from the Women's Committee of the Grossmont Community Concert Association, local businesses, clubs, and citizens to raise nearly $400K to outfit the theater with lighting, seating, PA system, etc.
• 1977-03-30 - Official opening. Originally built to seat 1200 people, then later revised to be ADA compliant with 1142 seats. Operated by Grossmont College.
• 1990 - Grossmont College hired a new manager for the theater who changes the venue's name to "Theater East" and focused primarily on educational presentations.
• 1993 - College relinquished management of the theater to the Christian Community Theater (CCT)
• 1995 - Property transferred to the City of El Cajon following college district Chancellor Dr. Jean Atherton's admission that "we have not been able to do justice to the theater which is really peripheral to our mission." CCT continued as manager.
• 1997 - Management turned over to the Arts Center Foundation, a 501c3. A professional CEO was hired to run the theater's day-to-day operations. The theater was renamed the East County Performing Arts Center.
• 1999 - Unique program for East County Schools was established, "Plug Into the Arts"
• 2005 - Operated by CCT DBA Art Beat Management.
• 2009-12-24 - The City of El Cajon has proposed a closure of the theater on Dec 24, 2009, for 18 to 24 months for some sort of "renovations". See Recent Media (below) for details.
• 2010 -- Closed in the beginning of the year. GCCA was allowed to complete their contracted engagements.
• 2010-03-09 -- The City held two community forums and a public hearing is scheduled for 2010-03-09.
• 2010-03 - Consultant Kurt Swanson submitted a plant to remodel the theater for $4.3 million.
• See ECPAC Conceptual Plan
• 2012-03-13 - El Cajon votes to negotiate with Arthur E. Neal, developer, to demolish the theater and replace it with a Courtyard by Marriott hotel.
• 2012-03-26 - SaveECPAC committee formed to save the theater for the community to use and preserve the historic nature of this landmark.
• 2012-04-23 - Toured the theater and resolved the likely cost to reopen the theater: $250K for roofing, painting, unknowns.

• EcpacUnderCCT - Our Study of the performance of ECPAC under the management of CCT.

HISTORY (Seasons are Sept to Aug)

Articles and Media ( Add | All):

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Related Documents

• People.SaveECPAC -- People who are interested in this project (requires authorization)
• Notable Acts at ECPAC -- A list of distinguished performers who included ECPAC in their tour plus ideas for future acts.
• ECPAC Theater Technical Details -- Includes venue details and demographics
• ECPAC_2006AnnualReport.pdf : ECPAC/Art-Beat Management 2006 Annual Report
• PaulRussell_070605letter.pdf Letter from Paul Russell requesting lower renovation fees
• ECPAC_Statistics.pdf ECPAC Statistics
• ECPACMarketingReport.pdf ECPAC Marketing Report by Jan Heyning commissioned by Arts Center Foundation
• ECPAC_RFP.pdf ECPAC Request For Proposal (After Arts Center Foundation was terminated)
• ECPAC-CCT_EventCalendar.pdf ECPAC-CCTEventCalendar. Posted here from their website before it "disappears."

• PlazaLiveOrlando - Theater in Orlando that serves as a comparison
• "Surfing under the stars" -- 2004 fundraiser for ACF raised $75,000 -- http://www.ranchandcoast.com/archives/april2004/gatherings.html
• Photo Gallery of Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) at ECPAC 2003-09-30 -- http://www.pbase.com/studiomuse/eastcounty093003&page=all
• Switchfoot opens national tour at hometown ECPAC Theater 2009-11-09 -- http://www.spin.com/articles/switchfoot-open-us-tour-hometown-gig
• Video: Steve Tyrell at ECPAC 2007-04-19
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gb-SihJV5XM
• http://youtu.be/ekvO83vAlXs
• Video: Hall of Fame Dance Challenge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpR3THNePqI
• Theater List with technical info: http://www.stagespecs.com/
• Orchestra Lift Technology:
• Serapid Chain: http://serapid.com/gb/theatre/th_app_av_gb.html

Resources

• http://artsusa.org/ - Americans for the Arts. They have good research on economic impact of performing arts, and they have an annual convention in June.
• http://www.aact.org - American Association of Community Theatre

Discussion List

See ListServe for all email discussion lists and to add more. %KEYWORDTOPICLISTSERVE%

• ECPAC_Foundation_proposal_0.9.pdf: Proposal to the City of El Cajon from the ECPAC Foundation

• SaveOurStageFlier_2up_v2.1.pdf: Save Our Stage Flier -- Version 2.1

• SaveEcpacPresentationV1.1.ppt: Presentation of the Proposal by the ECPAC Foundation, V1.1