During last nights city council meeting on June 9th, Mayor Mario Guerra refused to come to terms with the Downey Public. He expressed his anger on activist Jared Head during the public portion of the event. (All links are included) We are developing a non profit organization at the Mambo Grill Tuesday June16th at 6pm next to the Avenue Theater located on 11022 Downey Ave, Downey, Ca. We have involved the nation, we have notified locals and the media. What we are asking for is theater restoration for dining and local entertainment. We are calling attention to all investors and non profit organizations. Mayor Guerra said, "we will come to agreement only with an investor or non profit organization." Please tell your neighbors and friends! We are asking help from art departments, media, school, and the public to join together in saving this treasure! Let's bring back live entertainment and restore downtown Downey!
Please follow links below:
Jared's Speech at the June 9th Downey CC Meeting+Mayor Guerra Rebuttal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wum-86u_nis
Twitter
http://twitter.com/DowneyAve
Downey Patriot Reports:
http://twitter.com/DowneyPatriot/status/2102434628
Myspace
www.myspace.com/savedowneyave
Blogger
www.savedowneyave.blogspot.com
WordPress
http://savedowneyavenue.wordpress.com/
Los Angeles Wave Reports
http://www.wavenewspapers.com/news/local/herald-american/46961912.html?corder=reverse
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Firestone Redevelopment Plans
Firestone Blv Redevelopment Plans
DOWNEY – Will the Gourmet Café property at Firestone Boulevard and Downey Avenue be redeveloped into a new strip mall to serve as the de facto “grand entrance” to Downtown Downey?
The answer: possibly.
City officials met in closed session Tuesday night to discuss details of redevelopment plans with Westland Industries, a Long Beach-based commercial leasing company that owns the property at 8250 Firestone Blvd., where Gourmet Café is located.
Details of the meeting were not released. But Yanki Greenspan, an executive with Westland Industries, confirmed his company’s desire to redevelop the land.
“We are planning on redeveloping our property,” Greenspan said in an e-mail to the Patriot. “The city of Downey is working with us on entitlements and some parking issues that we are facing.”
Regarding the future of Gourmet Café, Greenspan said, “Gourmet Café will be approached, when the time is right, regarding their participation in the project if they wish to continue tenancy at that location.”
Frank Arias, who owns the Gourmet Café restaurant, said he knew nothing about redevelopment of the property.
“I wish I could help you, but I have no idea what’s going on,” Arias said. “You know more than I do right now.”
LoopNet.com, an online commercial real estate listing service, is advertising a new strip mall on the site. According to LoopNet, the “existing center will be completely transformed into a high-traffic food court. Westland Industries is working closely with the city of Downey to create the ‘grand entrance’ to Downey’s downtown.” LoopNet has posted site plans and artist renderings, and advertises the property as “the first step to create the ideal pedestrian friendly downtown district.”
Gilbert Livas, deputy city manager of community development for the city of Downey, downplayed the city’s involvement in the redevelopment, but noted the property fell in the city’s Downtown Outlay Zone.
Gourmet Cafe is almost directly across the street from what will soon become Porto’s Bakery, which is expected to break ground later this year.
City officials have been aggressive in their efforts recently to breathe new life into the downtown. Last year, the city used housing money to purchase the Avenue Theatre and adjacent Verizon building, with plans to redevelop them at least partially into high-quality affordable housing.
Porto’s is expected to attract up to 2,000 customers daily when they open on Firestone Boulevard, west of Downey Avenue. A two-story parking structure will be built to accomodate the expected increase in traffic.
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Published: May 15, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 4
DOWNEY – Will the Gourmet Café property at Firestone Boulevard and Downey Avenue be redeveloped into a new strip mall to serve as the de facto “grand entrance” to Downtown Downey?
The answer: possibly.
City officials met in closed session Tuesday night to discuss details of redevelopment plans with Westland Industries, a Long Beach-based commercial leasing company that owns the property at 8250 Firestone Blvd., where Gourmet Café is located.
Details of the meeting were not released. But Yanki Greenspan, an executive with Westland Industries, confirmed his company’s desire to redevelop the land.
“We are planning on redeveloping our property,” Greenspan said in an e-mail to the Patriot. “The city of Downey is working with us on entitlements and some parking issues that we are facing.”
Regarding the future of Gourmet Café, Greenspan said, “Gourmet Café will be approached, when the time is right, regarding their participation in the project if they wish to continue tenancy at that location.”
Frank Arias, who owns the Gourmet Café restaurant, said he knew nothing about redevelopment of the property.
“I wish I could help you, but I have no idea what’s going on,” Arias said. “You know more than I do right now.”
LoopNet.com, an online commercial real estate listing service, is advertising a new strip mall on the site. According to LoopNet, the “existing center will be completely transformed into a high-traffic food court. Westland Industries is working closely with the city of Downey to create the ‘grand entrance’ to Downey’s downtown.” LoopNet has posted site plans and artist renderings, and advertises the property as “the first step to create the ideal pedestrian friendly downtown district.”
Gilbert Livas, deputy city manager of community development for the city of Downey, downplayed the city’s involvement in the redevelopment, but noted the property fell in the city’s Downtown Outlay Zone.
Gourmet Cafe is almost directly across the street from what will soon become Porto’s Bakery, which is expected to break ground later this year.
City officials have been aggressive in their efforts recently to breathe new life into the downtown. Last year, the city used housing money to purchase the Avenue Theatre and adjacent Verizon building, with plans to redevelop them at least partially into high-quality affordable housing.
Porto’s is expected to attract up to 2,000 customers daily when they open on Firestone Boulevard, west of Downey Avenue. A two-story parking structure will be built to accomodate the expected increase in traffic.
**********
Published: May 15, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 4
Letter to the Editor
Not the time to be ambitious
As a longtime Downey resident, I was surprised and shocked to read your lead article last week (“Developers Envision a Grand Entrance to Downtown,” 5/15/09).
Any individual or investment group contemplating such a bold move during these tough economic times must be smoking some really strong stuff. Thousands of automobile agencies and other businesses are going under, adding to the already bloated numbers of unemployed. Before the housing and commercial real estate bubble burst, during the heyday of a wildly expanding economy, this project might have been a good idea – maybe.
Having survived more than 10 years of the Great Depression (1929-1941), I learned many valuable economic lessons; save your money, live frugally, and always be prepared for another unexpected economic downturn.
Living during the greatest economic bust in United States history leaves one with unforgettable memories – a week doesn’t pass that I don’t reflect on those difficult times.
— Byron Dillon,
Downey
**********
Published: May 22, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 5
May 22, 2009 | 79 views | 0 
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| 1 | | Dear Editor:
As a longtime Downey resident, I was surprised and shocked to read your lead article last week (“Developers Envision a Grand Entrance to Downtown,” 5/15/09).
Any individual or investment group contemplating such a bold move during these tough economic times must be smoking some really strong stuff. Thousands of automobile agencies and other businesses are going under, adding to the already bloated numbers of unemployed. Before the housing and commercial real estate bubble burst, during the heyday of a wildly expanding economy, this project might have been a good idea – maybe.
Having survived more than 10 years of the Great Depression (1929-1941), I learned many valuable economic lessons; save your money, live frugally, and always be prepared for another unexpected economic downturn.
Living during the greatest economic bust in United States history leaves one with unforgettable memories – a week doesn’t pass that I don’t reflect on those difficult times.
— Byron Dillon,
Downey
**********
Published: May 22, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 5
Letter to the Editor
Call for action
I was pleased to see positive responses to the letter I sent in two weeks ago. (“High Hopes for Avenue Theatre,” 5/8/09) It is refreshing to know that like-minded individuals within this city are letting their opinions be seen, but much like with my proposals for the Avenue, there needs to be action taken.
I am inviting all persons who are concerned, dismayed or simply wondering about the fate of the Avenue to the upcoming City Council meeting (May 26) to voice their opinion directly to those in charge of pushing the buttons or to simply be there to support the idea that the citizens of Downey genuinely care about the preservation and advancement of their past.
The best way to bring about a change in the mindset of our leaders is to let them know that we are concerned about the decisions, especially those like their insisting on not informing the public of what will become of the Avenue until they have decided outside of the public’s view.
I plan to see a packed council chambers with all of you there!
— Jared Head,
Downey
**********
Published: May 22, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 5
May 22, 2009 | 84 views | 0 | 2 | |
| 2 | | Dear Editor:
I was pleased to see positive responses to the letter I sent in two weeks ago. (“High Hopes for Avenue Theatre,” 5/8/09) It is refreshing to know that like-minded individuals within this city are letting their opinions be seen, but much like with my proposals for the Avenue, there needs to be action taken.
I am inviting all persons who are concerned, dismayed or simply wondering about the fate of the Avenue to the upcoming City Council meeting (May 26) to voice their opinion directly to those in charge of pushing the buttons or to simply be there to support the idea that the citizens of Downey genuinely care about the preservation and advancement of their past.
The best way to bring about a change in the mindset of our leaders is to let them know that we are concerned about the decisions, especially those like their insisting on not informing the public of what will become of the Avenue until they have decided outside of the public’s view.
I plan to see a packed council chambers with all of you there!
— Jared Head,
Downey
**********
Published: May 22, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 5
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Sign The Downey Avenue Petition
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/save-the-historic-avenue-theater-in-downey-california
Save the Historic Avenue Theater in Downey, California
Target: People who live in and around Downey.
Sponsored by: The Downey Conservancy
This petition is to prevent the destruction of the historic Avenue Theater in Downey, California.
As Seen on Cinema Treasures..
"Opened in 1922 as the Downey Theatre. It featured a beautiful arch on its brick facade. This is still in situ, but has been hidden by the current facade. The theater was equipped for live shows and has around 15 dressing rooms located beneath the stage.
It was later renamed Victory Theater and in 1949, it was renamed Avenue Theater. Eventually by the 1970's it was a second run movie theater.
It was closed in 2003, and apart from occasional use for some b-movie shoots, has remained unused.
The Avenue Theater is now owned by the City of Downey who want to demolish the theater and build condos and low rent housing on the site. Local citizens are opposed to these plans and would like to see the building restored for use as a classic movie venue, live performances and community events."
It was later renamed Victory Theater and in 1949, it was renamed Avenue Theater. Eventually by the 1970's it was a second run movie theater.
It was closed in 2003, and apart from occasional use for some b-movie shoots, has remained unused.
The Avenue Theater is now owned by the City of Downey who want to demolish the theater and build condos and low rent housing on the site. Local citizens are opposed to these plans and would like to see the building restored for use as a classic movie venue, live performances and community events."
The Downey Patriot
As Per the Downey Patriot April 13, 2009 by Eric Pierce:
The City Council tomorrow will consider granting exclusive negotiating rights to National Core, a Rancho Cucamonga-based developer that specializes in affordable housing.
City staff is recommending National Core over six other developers who submitted redevelopment proposals to the city. An evaluation panel narrowed the list down to two, before choosing National Core.
The city and National Core will still need to come to terms on a development and disposition agreement, the “key transaction terms,” according to a staff report.
Redevelopment of the Avenue Theatre and Verizon building is a “long-term proposition” and “staff estimates that this process will take until July of 2012 to implement,” according to the staff report.
Fernando Vasquez, a former City Council candidate and member of the Planning Commission, is a development manager at National Core."
"It looks more and more like the city will choose National Core to redevelop the Avenue Theater and Verizon building in Downtown Downey.
The City Council tomorrow will consider granting exclusive negotiating rights to National Core, a Rancho Cucamonga-based developer that specializes in affordable housing.
City staff is recommending National Core over six other developers who submitted redevelopment proposals to the city. An evaluation panel narrowed the list down to two, before choosing National Core.
The city and National Core will still need to come to terms on a development and disposition agreement, the “key transaction terms,” according to a staff report.
Redevelopment of the Avenue Theatre and Verizon building is a “long-term proposition” and “staff estimates that this process will take until July of 2012 to implement,” according to the staff report.
Fernando Vasquez, a former City Council candidate and member of the Planning Commission, is a development manager at National Core."
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