PRIVATE FIRM WILL OPERATE PUBLICLY OWNED DOWNEY CIVIC THEATRE
By The Downey Patriot
Operations of the publicly owned Downey Civic Theatre will be conducted by a private firm under a five-year contract approved Tuesday night by a 4-1 vote of the Downey City Council. Council member David Gafin dissented, calling for more time for public input.
VenueTech currently operates six theaters in the cities of Campbell, Eureka, Vacaville, Vallejo and San Ramon. In Downey, the company will develop a theater business plan, form a nonprofit organization, construct a full-service box office, hire an on-site theater manager, develop programming for a season of entertainment, and take over the theater’s daily operations.
The contract also calls for VenueTech to work in conjunction with the Downey Civic Light Opera, Downey Symphony and Downey Unified School District, which are currently the theater’s primary users.
“Entering into an agreement with VenueTech for professional management of the theatre will create a cornerstone of community life, a unique destination in Downtown Downey, and deliver economic benefits for the entire Downey community,” community services director Thad Phillips wrote in a report.
