Friends of The Washington Theater

---Urgent Update!!!--
Stop the plan to turn the Washington Theater into a parking lot!

Recently the Friends of Washington Theater learned of a plan (Which we are opposed to) by the current owners to add on to Pasadena’s historic Washington Theater and possibly turn the theater box into subterranean parking.

The Planning Department’s monthly activity reports. A description of the proposed project to “Remodel existing building and add three floors of SRO units and three floors of subterranean parking; construct new building on adjacent vacant parcel (1383 Prime Ct.) with three floors of SRO units and three floors of subterranean parking.” The project is dependent on site control of 1383 Prime Ct., a property purchased in the redevelopment era and currently owned by the City of Pasadena. The full plan can be found here.https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/bos/supdocs/150066.pdf

The City is seeking to sell the property to the developer of the Washington Theater. The approval of this sale is happening tomorrow December 8th at the Oversight Board For The Successor Agency board meeting .

Meanwhile, we have learned that the Pasadena Heritage Society also is opposed to this plan and is concerned that it could lead to "a detrimental project that will literally undermine the theater. We would be supportive of an appropriately-sized project, but the description as noted seems incompatible with the landmarked theater."

After emailing District 5 council person Jess Rivas we were told that "This matter has come up in closed session recently, so I can't get into the details of those discussions," However she pointed us to the regular agenda and the staff report which provides helpful background information.https://ww2.cityofpasadena.net/2022%20Agendas/Nov_14_22/AR%2011.pdf "
After reviewing it appears that the City is in general approval of the sale. COUNCIL POLICY CONSIDERATION: Adoption of the proposed resolution would be consistent with the City Council's goals to maintain fiscal responsibility and stability, and to support and promote the quality of life and local economy.

However, if you like us are mortified by the thought of turning the Historic Washington Theater box into parking and leaving the Facade of the theater figuratively and literally just a facade then here are the steps you can take.

If you would like to voice your opinion please submit them to the Oversight Board ASAP. They are the ones who must approve this sale at their meeting tomorrow at 10am!. Comments can be submitted to [email protected]

The Agenda can be viewed here. On the page just follow the click here link.
https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/bos/commissionpublications/agenda/1133929_December8_2022.pdf

Thank You everyone for supporting the Washington Theater. Hopefully, we can delay this sale till a responsible development plan is created that will accommodate saving the theater box so that it can be transformed into a usable community space. Instead of paving it into a parking lot.

A couple of last links History of the Washington Theater https://losangelestheatres.blogspot.com/2019/11/cinema-21.html

Last words.. Joni Mitchell- Yellow Taxi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2595abcvh2M

Joni Mitchell - Big Yellow Taxi (Official Lyric Video) You're watching the 2018 official lyric video for Joni Mitchell's classic "Big Yellow Taxi" from the album 'Ladies Of The Canyon' (1970)Listen to Joni Mitche...