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On Monday, the San Francisco Small Business Commission considered a resolution supporting Other Planet Entertainment’s proposed changes to the 100-year-old Castro Theater.
The commission voted unanimously 6-0 to postpone the decision to another day after hearing from an overwhelming number of physical and virtual public commenters who voiced their opposition to the resolution.
Ownership shifted from the Nasser family and Bay Properties Inc. earlier this year when it was announced that Other Planet Entertainment would take over programming and renovate the theater.
According to Commission President Sharkey Lagana, APE has been invited to present a statement on the proposed changes. Many of the commissioners said this was the first time they had heard of conflicts over changes to the Castro Theater.
Small Business Commission President Sharkey Lagana | Image: SFGovTV
Prior to the event, Lagana addressed the criticism the commission had received in an email earlier in the meeting. “I want to lower the temperature before we start,” Laguana said.
The commission is prepared to discuss the draft version of the “Decision to Support Another Planet Entertainment”.
“Renovations that enhance the space and expand its use while preserving the historic features of the Castro Theater are essential to its long-term financial stability, so now is the time,” the decision read in part.
“Despite the settlement, the Small Business Commission supports Other Planet Entertainment’s proposal to renovate the Castro Theater, improve programming, and ensure that the Castro Theater continues to serve the LGBTQ+ community for another 100 years.”
Many commissioners and public speakers asked why this item was first in front of the Small Business Commission. Public speakers urged the commission to wait until both the Historic Preservation Commission and the Planning Commission review the project.
Image: SFGovTV
Public speakers also criticized the lack of transparency of the API and the commission’s hearing on August 11, 2010. Several public speakers credited a city employee who tipped them off that they only heard about the hearing three days ago.
“I still don’t understand why this is before our commission,” said Commissioner William Ortiz-Carteña.
“I take ownership of why this is on our agenda. This particular building has a big impact, especially on the small business community in the Castro, which was suffering even before the pandemic,” Laguna said. Laguana undercuts Castro’s 37% of storefront vacancy and 50% of sales tax revenue.
APE Senior Vice President Mary Conde, APE Vice President of Business Affairs Dan Serot and Assistant General Manager Casey Loudermilk attended the event. APE CEO and founder Greg Perloff and Nasser’s family were not present.
APE’s presentation began with a brief introduction, followed by a 13-minute video about the challenges and restoration plans for the Castro Theater.
Planned renovations include removing the orchestra-level seats and replacing them with movable seats on four tiered platforms; Eliminating lobby-area concession stands; expansion of women’s toilets; improving ventilation and electrical systems; Addition of ground floor dresser room; And possibly adding an elevator from the lobby level to the second floor.
A drawing of the proposed standing room floor plan. | Image: Another Planet Entertainment
During the hearing, Serot admitted that he was not fully prepared for the public opposition when he announced that APE would be taking over management of the historic theater.
“Unfortunately, we don’t see this as a community center. Rather, it’s a business,” Serot said.
“We want you to be successful…we want to be here for hundreds of years into the future,” Lagana said in response to APE’s presentation.
However, Laguana called on APE to do more community engagement. “I’d like to see a bridge to the community and some real engagement with the community on these issues,” Lagana said.
Another Planet Entertainment assistant general manager, Casey Lodermick. | Image: SFGovTV
Commissioners heard from about 20 public speakers, all but two of whom were critical of the APE and urged the commission to withdraw the decision or postpone it to another day.
Originally, public comment was to be limited to one minute per speaker, but after activist Michael Petrellis objected, Lagana agreed to two minutes per person.
Many public speakers opposed APE’s plan to eliminate orchestra-level seating. At the hearing, APE said they still haven’t decided what kind of temporary seating they will install.
To make it easier to remove and install the seats, APE said the seats will be kept in place in a new room built in the back of the theater in the former boiler room.
Queer public historian Gerard Koskovich shares his concerns about the proposed changes and their impact on LGBTQ+ society and culture.
“Classic cinema seating in the Castro Theater is not accidental, not random, not easy,” Koskovich said. “It has been described by researchers as a special feature of this place.”
“That’s what the movie theater tells you,” Koskovich added. “It’s critical that the Historic Preservation Commission and the Planning Commission address this before the commission gives it any attention.”
Queer public historian Gerard Koskovich. | Image: SFGovTV
“When I hear APE talking about bringing in a ‘new demographic’ or a ‘certain demographic,’ I know what they mean,” Koskovich said. “A lot of rock concerts with live people get drunk at their concerts and 1,400 of them spill out into the streets of the Castro.”
Koskovich wondered what impact it would have not only on the small businesses nearby, but on Castro’s culture.
Many commentators have questioned whether Berkeley-based APE is even considered a small business or a San Francisco business.
In response, Laguana said, the Municipal Code defines APE as a small business with 100 or less employees.
Castro Traders president Dave Carracer called on the commission to “do this all or nothing.”
“I want you to understand that this is not about a business or a building,” Caraker said. “This is about all the businesses in the Castro. It helps these businesses survive. The Castro needs the Castro Theater to be successful.”
The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission is scheduled to discuss the proposal on Wednesday, October 5. At that time, the panel will hear District 8 Supervisor Raphael Mandelman’s proposal to expand the theater’s historic designation, which includes existing orchestra-style seating.
The next day, the Planning Commission will hold a hearing on a zoning change that would allow APE to bring in live entertainment.
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