The Issues: The Majestic Theatre in Downtown Benicia

In 2007 the City Council adopted an Economic Development Strategy that focused on three priority areas: Increasing tourism, supporting and maintaining downtown as the community core and increasing research and development and campus style office uses in the Benicia Industrial Park through zoning changes, incentives and other measures.

Today we focus on the question of downtown Benicia.

Over the past three years the city has spent well over $300,000 developing and implementing a tourism marketing plan to try and entice more people to visit our downtown. There is discussion of creating a Business Improvement District to help pay for continued marketing efforts. There have been efforts to make downtown more inviting by adding benches, bike racks and flower boxes. 

However, there is still one place that seems to have missed the boat in terms of beautification and enticement.

The next Q&A will focus on diversity in the city staff.

Today’s question:

How will you work to make the a jewel in our downtown rather than an under-utilized asset?

City Council candidates:

Here’s the problem. Whenever you want to do something for the greater public good you can potentially run into private property rights issues and the tension created by the Fifth Amendment’s “just compensation clause”. If someone doesn’t want to do something with their property there isn’t a lot you can do short of eminent domain which is an extremely bad idea and a great way to get recalled. For years the City and several private individuals have tried to get something going with the Majestic. The owner hasn’t been interested in seriously promoting the venue. Until either the ownership changes or the owner changes his view it will basically remain a place for the Majestic’s owner to store his pipe organ unless the Council decides it wants an eminent domain fight which would be a truly bad idea. So far all other inducements have not worked.

There have been many attempts through the years to work with the property owner and in all cases there has been little or no success.  Since the theatre is privately owned he can pretty much do what he wants with it. However, now may be the time to approach him with a plan of action presented by the Council to see if some partnership could be explored.

The City should assist any efforts by the Majestic Theatre non-profit association. We should consider the site for possible retrofitting as a city Performing Arts Center and, if that is feasible, add it to our Capital Improvement Plan to be prepared when and if the current owner is willing to sell.

What can we do as long as there is out of town ownership?

Mayoral Candidates:

This is a sad and frustrating issue. Approximately 2.5 years ago a mutual friend paved the way for me to contact the owner of the Majestic. We had a long phone conversation. I wanted to explore the possibility of increased use of the theater. Knowing that the owner is very protective of the theater, is very sensitive to criticism, and maintains total control of the operation, I gently broached a number of subjects including marketing, new seating and acoustics. I understood him to feel that he was doing a good job marketing the theater. The other subjects were met with cordial resistance. It soon became clear that the owner feels the theater is essentially fine the way it is.  When I introduced the idea of a public/private partnership to renovate and update the theater he said in no uncertain words that, “He was not interested”. The conversation ended on good terms. I have been making an effort to re-engage the owner in an effort to learn what I can as to any changes the owner is willing to discuss. There is no new information. The Majestic is in private ownership and unless and until it is available for sale there seems to be little that the City can do.

This theatre is owned and loved by a private party.  He is aware of the community’s vision for the theatre’s restoration and has had private conversations about this with people over the years.  I trust that when the owner is ready to take action he will seek our opinions.   

Nov. 8, 2011, City Council and Mayor Election Handbook: Candidate Q&As, Bios and Voter Guides

Disclosure: Patch editor JB Davis was the campaign manager for Dan Smith in his successful campaign for City Council in 2001.  He has no involvement in Smith’s 2011 campaign.