The next decision on the future of the Castro theater will be delayed two weeks after a Board of Supes committee accepted Sup. Rafael Mandelman’s proposal for a continuance.
But the committee members, and Mandelman, made it clear that they are sympathetic to the preservationists and are inclined to vote in favor of landmarking the interior, including the fixed seating and raked floor, unless Another Planet Entertainment comes up with a solution more palatable to the community.
The activists had asked the committee to amend into the landmark designation specific language that would block APE from removing the seats, leveling the floor, adding movable seats, and creating a venue more amenable to the promoter’s vision for live music.
Sup. Aaron Peskin urged APE to get together with the community to find a solution, saying that his past meetings “have been very frustrating.”
He addressed CEO Gregg Perloff: “You have to walk the walk and talk the talk a little faster. … APE walked into this thing like the 300-pound gorilla, hired everyone they could hire … APE needs to start talking real turkey real fast.”
Records on file with the Ethics Commission show that the company has spent $61,000 on lobbyists in the past 12 months, hiring Andrew Junius, David Noyola, Jaqueline Piccini, and Alex Tourke to push their interests at City Hall.
(In exchange, the records show, the lobbyists have met with city officials about 15 times. That’s roughly $4,000 a meeting. Nice work if you can get it.)
Sup. Dean Preston said that “I am one third of this committee, and I am fully supportive of the community amendments.”
Mandelman, who represents the Castro, said “I am hopeful we can get to a win-win-win.” But he noted if the parties can’t get there, then the amendments might be the best way to go.
Peskin also noted that by law, one-third of the events at the Castro will have to be film, or the venue needs a change-of-use permit. And he said that the concert and some film model APE is presenting “is not a business model that can work five or six times a week, maybe only one or two times, which means the place will be vacant half the year.”
So now APE is going to have to figure out a way to work with the folks who want to save the existing seats and flooring, or face a landmarking decision that will end the promoter’s current plans.
David Perry, a spokesperson for APE, told me:
We share every one’s passion for the Castro Theatre, and deeply appreciate everyone who spoke today about that passion, regardless of their position. Another Planet shares that passion, and is why we are endeavoring so hard to truly save the Castro Theatre and everything it represents, especially for the LGBTQ and film communities. We were encouraged today to hear the growing support for, and true understanding of those plans, which we encourage everyone to view on the Castro website. Our continued thoughtful and cordial discussions with the leadership of the Castro Conservancy have led to a better plan. Today’s continuance gives us additional time to work with them, and with everyone, who truly understands what it will take to save the Castro for future generations.
The next hearing is April 17.
