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Fox Fullerton Wins $1.65 Million Grant
posted by
Ron Pierce
on
February 19, 2004 at 9:40 am
FULLERTON, CA – The Fullerton City Council has approved a “challenge” grant to enable the Fullerton Historic Theatre Foundation to buy the Fox Fullerton Theatre, according to a report in the Fullerton News Tribune.
The grant will set aside funds to cover fifty percent of the Fullerton Historic Theatre Foundation’s cost to acquire the Fullerton Fox Theatre — not to exceed more than $1.65 million — subject to FHTF meeting certain performance requirements.
When the Fullerton City Council announced its decision to a packed crowd at City Hall, the group received a standing ovation in a strong show of support from the local community.
For complete details, here’s the full press release from the Fullerton Historic Theatre Foundation:
Incredible News!
City of Fullerton Offers Challenge Grant:
Fox Fullerton Theatre Donations Now Doubled in Value!
On Tuesday, February 17, the Fullerton City Council, acting as the Redevelopment Agency, unanimously (!) approved a $1.65 million challenge grant to our Foundation. If we match their challenge grant, we will have enough funds to purchase the Fox Theatre, and can begin raising the additional funds we’ll need to start restoration ($1.5 million by the end of this year).
It was amazing to hear many council members encouraging the public to help with our project by donating funds or restoration materials and services, and making connections with others who can do the same. In addition, Linda Hawkins, Chair of the Fullerton Chamber of Commerce, announced their endorsement of our project!
Thanks to everyone who called, e-mailed and wrote the council, or showed up at the council meeting. You helped make this happen! If you would like to thank the council, you may reach them at 714-738-6311 or .ca.us
Of course, this now means that the fundraising must begin in earnest! Every dollar you donate will be matched by the city, up to $1.65 million (Who knows, after that maybe someone else will issue a challenge grant!).
Donations can be made on-line here or mailed in from the form here or call us for a brochure/form.
Donations are fully tax-deductible, and there is also the option of making your contribution as a pledge; we would only “call” your pledge when enough funds have been raised to assure purchase of the buildings, anticipated to be sometime between April and November. Some of you may even have an opportunity to have your employer match your gift; this way your gift could be magnified by four times! We invite you to call or e-mail us with any questions you have about donating to the project.
Thanks again to the Fullerton City Council, the Fullerton Redevelopment Agency, the Fullerton Redevelopment and Economic Development Department, the Fullerton Chamber of Commerce, and all of our members and volunteers who made this challenge grant possible! We also appreciate everyone who attended our Volunteer Orientation held later in the evening; together we will bring back the Fox!
Comments (1)
The AMC 20 Mega Plex is less than a mile away. They clear the Fox Fullerton which means, the only film you’ll be able to play is the 21st best film out. Can you imagine what that film is right now? The city council knows this and they know that the Fox Fullerton project will cost from 10 to 20 million dollars. That means anybody that wants to restore, repair, replace, rebuild or remodle the theatre will only have 3.3 million towards that final cost of tens of millions. The bad news is when you come up with enough money to complete the project, you will have spent more money on it than old man Edwards spent on the Spectrum thats 21 screens with no competition, and the fullerton redevelopment agency will be able to tell you what you can and can’t do and how to spend all your money for the small price of $1.65 million. What a deal for them. Why do you think it’s sat empty for this long. We have tried to reopen the theatre for 20 years. The number one reason the theatre stays closed is the fullerton redevelopment agency! They told us to go and get some experience and they would talk to us. Well we did, we opened The old Villa theatre in Orange and recieved a redevelopment loan of $175,000 added to that ourselves our lifes savings and a few more loans and Captain Bloods Village Theatres has been opened ever since. We went back to them and they lied to us about $5 million in help. Backing up to $0 in the end. So we opened 3 more theatres The Mainplace Theatres 6 in Santa Ana , The Woodbridge Family 5 in Irvine and Captains Family Theatres Brea 5, notice all 4 theatres are in North Orange county just like the Fox Fullerton. Mayors and city council come and go but the people at the redevelopment agency stay and get in the way. His name is Terry and he and the owner of the property Ed have had a childish public fight for 20 years. All Fullerton residents should call for their heads. How ugly is this building? how embarrassing is it for Fullerton residents? I would restore it at no cost to the residents of fullerton. For some reason redevelopment dos'nt like that idea. Why? Against the AMC 20 plex less than a mile away in Fullerton and on the same street it has no chance of being economically viable as a first run theatre. The only reasonable use is to reopen it and play art and classic films there and maybe offer a festival or two and add to the culture of the city. Nights in Fullerton would never be the same. Todd and Cathy Blood 714-579-SHOW