Rialto Theater Endangered?

posted by Moii on August 5, 2004 at 5:49 am

PASADENA, CA — The Rialto Theater in South Pasadena California is in danger now to some degree. It has been listed in the “Framework for Downtown Development” in the City of South Pasadena. Its future use may change.

On page 11 #7 of their special report from the Community Redevelopment Commission (CRC) Feb 18 2004, they state:

“The Rialto Theater is a key building in terms of its historic design and function and its potential to be an anchor and catalyst for future activity. The building is thought by some to be an opportunity for a public facility, incorporating the theater and using it as community space. Some feel that the CRA will need to reestablish eminent domain in order to facilitate the more appropriate reuse of certain properties. In any case, the exterior and the marquee should be renovated and refurbished. Others feel strongly that it should be completely refurbished and remain a theater, whether one screen or reconfigured to several small screens. Customers desire a better sound system, more comfortable seats, and more diverse and more extensive programming”

The Community Redevelopment Commission will now be meeting to discuss their redevelopment vision. If you are interested in preserving it as a theater you need to let the City Council and Community Redevelopment Commission know how you feel. Tell them what you’d like done with the theater. Do you want to maintain the use of the property as an historically intact theater (inside and out) remaining a single screen functioning theater? Or do you want it to become a public facility, incorporating the theater and using it as community space? Or do you want to see it reconfigured to several small screens? Currently it shows independent films. Mayor Ten was in favor of seeing more mainstream films shown there. Please let your opinion be known.

We must assure that the Council persons and Community Redevelopment Commission understand that there is support for the continued existence of this unique theater.

Please send email comments to:
The City Council persons and Community Redevelopment Commission. You can do this by e-mailing Sally Kilby – City Clerk, at -pasadena.ca.us or you may write to the City Council, c/o
Sally Kilby, at City Hall, 1414 Mission Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030.

Or phone their message center:
(626) 403-7218
(voicemail for the Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, and Council members)

Or attend a meeting:
Community Redevelopment Commission
City Council Chambers
1424 Mission Street
South Pasadena CA 91030
7:00 p.m. meetings
2nd Wednesday of each month

Theaters in this post

• Rialto Theatre