DEPARTMENT: Center City Development and Operations Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: John Jacks
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Council District 1
SUBJECT:
Alameda Theater Complex Restoration Project
SUMMARY:
Briefing on the Alameda Theater Complex restoration and redevelopment project that will result in the restoration of the Alameda Theater and the relocation of Texas Public Radio to the Alameda Theater Complex.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
For the past 2 years, the City of San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas Public Radio and La Familia Cortez have worked on a concept that would relocate TPR's corporate headquarters to a newly constructed back stage annex of the Alameda Theater and to restore and reopen the historic Alameda Theater as a multi-media live performing arts and film center that would feature the American-Latino multicultural story. The City, County, and La Familia Cortez retained Michael Kaiser of the DeVos Institute of Arts Management to undertake an assessment of the concept and make a recommendation as to its feasibility.
Based on interviews and an assessment of San Antonio's arts and culture venues, Mr. Kaiser recommended a revised concept that would provide an opportunity to expand the programming and functionality of the Theater and leverages the new technology and media opportunities with TPR. Highlights of his recommendation include:
* The Alameda Theater must be restored and reopened as a performing arts facility.
* The Alameda Theater should be multi-purpose and the seating capacity should be adjusted to 1,000 and the floor shall be tiered in order to accommodate theater seats or events tables and chairs.
* The Alameda Theater should include a thrust stage into the audience to create a more intimate setting for performances and events.
* A new entity should be created to operate and program the Alameda Theater.
* The programming should be diverse and collaborative. The programming should be focused on Latino arts and culture...
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