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The Lorenzo Theatre finally on the way to salvation
posted by
LorenzoTheatre
on
June 14, 2007 at 7:50 am
SAN LORENZO, CA — After long negotiations, The Lorenzo Theater Foundation, Inc. has signed a Purchase Agreement with owner Dr. Dharam Salwan, to acquire the Lorenzo Theatre.
Under the terms of the agreement, the foundation has 14 months to raise the agreed upon price of $300,000 to purchase the theatre. After purchase, The Lorenzo Theatre Foundation plans to restore the building for use as a non-profit community arts center featuring classic films and local performances.
The theatre houses Northern California’s first blacklight murals as painted by world-renowned muralist Anthony Heinsbergen. The Lorenzo Theatre is a California State Historic Resource and the first and only Historic Preservation District in Alameda County. It has also received a prestigious Art Deco Preservation Award from the Art Deco Society of California.
Once renovated the Theatre can be used as a community center as well as a center for visual and performing arts. Special events, such as weddings, parties, school performances, lectures and corporate events can be accommodated and will provide additional revenue to support our restoration efforts.
The Foundation’s fundraising plan is 300 people at $1,000 eachÂ. However, the names of donors who give $100 or more will be placed on a plaque in the lobby of the Theatre. The fundraising campaign kicked off at the agreement signing with the Theatre owner, Dr. Dharam Salwan, pledging a $5,000 donation.
It is estimated that the cost of the complete restoration of the theatre will be in the millions of dollars. However, now that the Foundation has a signed purchase agreement it can apply for grants from local and regional foundations as well as national organizations dedicated to the performing arts. The Foundation’s preliminary restoration phases span a five year period and include:
preparation for limited occupancy;
preparation for conditional public occupancy;
performing arts related improvements;
and preservation/restoration of historical improvements.
The Lorenzo Theater Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit 501-C-3 California corporation.
Information on the theatre along with an extensive photo gallery can be seen at the Save the Lorenzo Website. A non-enhanced picture of the murals as they appear today under blacklight can be found here.
Anyone interested in making a contribution is asked to make checks payable to:
The Lorenzo Theater Foundation, P.O. Box 193, San Lorenzo CA 94580.
Comments (1)
I’m glad that it fell into the right hands. It would be a pity to see a beautifull building like that torn down to make condos. I wish you all the best of luck with the fund raising and the restorations.