ECPAC

ECM VIDEO REPORT: DOWNTOWN MERCHANT SPEAKS OUT ON THEATER'S IMPACT

May 29, 2012 (El Cajon)--Last week, El Cajon Council voted to hear a proposal from the new ECPAC Foundation to save East County Performing Arts Center from the wrecking ball and restore the community theater.


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ECPAC SAVED! EL CAJON COUNCIL REJECTS PLAN TO TEAR DOWN THEATER AND BUILD HOTEL ON SITE

Update May 28, 2012 with a video news report by Paul Kruz, exclusive to East County Magazine, including interviews with the developer and Councilman Wells:

 

By Janis Mork and Miriam Raftery

May 23, 2012 (El Cajon)--El Cajon Council drew applause yesterday when by a unanimous decision, Council members rejected a proposal to tear down the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) and build a hotel on the site.

Instead, Council agreed to work with community members and a newly formed ECPAC Foundation to reopen the theater long heralded as a centerpiece of El Cajon's downtown revitalization. 

 


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EL CAJON COUNCIL TO HOLD WORKSHOP TODAY ON TEARING DOWN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

ECPAC Foundation, SAVE ECPAC groups  plan rally to save theater at 1 pm;  workshop at 2 p.m.; Council meeting at 3 p.m.

May 22, 2012 (El Cajon ) – Today at 1:30 p.m., the El Cajon Council will hold a special workshop on the future of the East County Performing Arts Center.   Council has given an exclusive 180-day agreement to a developer to propose plans for tearing down the theater and building a hotel.  Today, developer E. Neal Arthur will present his plans at the workshop.


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SHOULD EAST COUNTY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER BE SAVED OR RAZED? COUNCIL TO WEIGH ISSUE MAY 22


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SAVE ECPAC GROUP TAKES BACKSTAGE TOUR TO ASSESS THEATER'S CONDITION

May 3, 2012 (El Cajon) – It's been two years since the East County Performing Arts Center went dark.  But on Monday, a group of concerned citizens seeking to "Save ECPAC" took a behind-the-scenes tour last week to determine the extent of repairs needed to reopen the cherished community landmark. 

Although challenges are steep, the good news is that the cost for critical repairs appears to be significantly less than the estimates  provided by the city for a more ambitious renovation.


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SAVE ECPAC GROUP TO HOST MEETING APRIL 9 IN EL CAJON

April 6, 2012 (El Cajon) – A bipartisan group seeking to save the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) held its first meeting late last month.  Others concerned with joining the effort are invited to attend a larger meeting set for Monday, April 9 at 5 p.m.  The meeting will be held at the East County Chamber of Commerce office at 201 South Magnolia Street in El Cajon.


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COMMUNITY LEADERS VOICE CONCERN OVER CLOSURE OF EL CAJON CDC

 

No holiday events slated to help downtown merchants this year, as redevelopment agency forced to close doors due to state funding cuts and lack of support from city

City to vote December on management of a new PBID

By Miriam Raftery

November 27, 2011 (El Cajon) –  Community leaders are reacting with shock, dismay, and questions after learning that the Board of Directors of the El Cajon Community Development Corporation has voted to dissolve the redevelopment organization due to lack of funding from both the city and state.  President and CEO Cindi Fargo has been laid off, along with the remaining staff.


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COMMUNITY WEIGHS IN ON EL CAJON’S PLANS FOR THEATER

 

 Can theater be key to downtown revitalization?

April 1, 2010 (El Cajon) – At a community forum Tuesday, dozens of East County residents turned out to hear details of a proposed plan for the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC).

 

The conceptual business plan, prepared by consultant Kurt Swanson, calls for the City to takeover management of the theater, invest $4.3 million in renovations, and commit to 48 performances per year including a return to headline entertainers. While some area residents praised the effort, many had questions, suggestions, and criticisms to offer.


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EL CAJON ANNOUNCES SOLUTION TO BUDGET CRISIS

By Art Rich and Jack Pott

April 1, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Faced with a growing budget gap and boarded up storefronts downtown as a result of the recession, the City of El Cajon announced today that it has sold naming rights to City Hall, Main Street, and the East County Performing Arts Center.
 

“We saw a market opportunity to let these generous corporate partners buy influence AND boost their public images—all perfectly legally,” said Mayor Mark Lewis.


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PUBLIC HEARING ON PERFORMING ARTS THEATER MARCH 9

 

 

March 6, 2010 (El Cajon) – A public hearing on the future of the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) will be held on March 9 at 1:30 p.m. at El Cajon Council Chambers, 200 East Main Street. The City has proposed to close the theater for up to two years due to remodeling.

 


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EL CAJON POSTPONES MEETING ON PERFORMING ARTS CENTER UNTIL WED. JAN. 27

 

 

January 21, 2009 (El Cajon) - A community meeting on the future of the East County Performing Arts Center has been postponed until Wed. Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. due to tonight's stormy weather.  For details, see our previous story at http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/2603.


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FUTURE OF EAST COUNTY PERFORMING ART CENTER AT STAKE IN THURSDAY MEETING; CITIZENS PLAN PROTEST OVER CLOSURE

 

 

Update Jan. 21:  Tonight's outdoor rally has been cancelled due to rain, however those who wish to protest closure of the theater will instead gather inside the Ronald Reagan Community Center at 6:30.

January 20, 2010 (El Cajon) The City of El Cajon hosts its second of two community meetings on the future of the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) on Thursday, January 21st. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan Community Center, 195 East Douglas St. in El Cajon (1/2 block east of Magnolia).

 

The City has announced plans to close the theater for up to two years for renovations. Citizen’s Oversight Project, a watchdog group, plans a rally at 5:30 to protest the two-year closure. The rally will be held on Main Street in front of the theater.(This rally has been moved indoors at 6:30 at the Ronald Reagan Community Center due to rain.)


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EDITORIAL: THE SHOW "NEEDS" TO GO ON

 

 

..."There is no disagreement over the present lack of qualified theatrical management at ECPAC. If the City of El Cajon were to seriously consider hiring a good management group with a sound reputation, there would be no difficulty in obtaining talent to attract patrons."

 

By Ron Shelby, President
Grossmont Community Concert Association

 

November 1, 2009 (El Cajon) -- On Saturday, October 31, 2009, an article appeared in the San Diego Union-Tribune’s East County section entitled: “The Show Need Not Go On.” While there is some validity to this article, it has overlooked some very important issues.


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LIGHTS OUT: EAST COUNTY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER TO CLOSE FOR 2-YEAR RENOVATION



CITY OF EL CAJON TERMINATES MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT WITH CHRISTIAN THEATER GROUP; POSTPONES CLOSURE UNTIL AT LEAST MID-2010 TO HONOR CONTRACTS FOR SHOWS

 

By Miriam Raftery

October 14, 2009 (El Cajon) – El Cajon City Council members voted unanimously yesterday to terminate its agreement effective January 1st with ArtBeat Management, a subsidiary of Christian Community Theater, which has managed the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) for the past four years. The theater is slated to close for approximately two years for renovations including a new roof, improving access for the disabled, and moving the entrance to open onto Main Street, generating traffic toward local merchants and restaurants.

At yesterday’s Council hearing, Grossmont Community Concerts Association (GCCCA) president Ron Shelby pleaded with Council members to keep the theater open through the groups’ 2010 concert season, which is sold out. “We were in panic mode because we couldn’t find any place that can accommodate all of our performances,” said Shelby.  After the hearing, he expressed gratitude that Mayor Mark Lewis pledged to honor all contracts signed by CCT, assuring Shelby that the theater will remain open at least through the end of the GCCCA season in May

The City hailed the renovation plans with a press release today proclaiming “exciting changes planned for the East County Performing Arts Center.


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EL CAJON'S ANNUAL DANCE RECITAL IS BACK: MARCH 22 EVENT AT ECPAC INVOLVES THE YOUNG & YOUNG AT HEART

March 12, 2009 (El Cajon)--The City of El Cajon Recreation Department will hold its much anticipated Annual Dance and Tumbling Recital at the East County Performing Arts Center on Sunday, March 22, 2009, from 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. This event has been a highlight in the City for over 20 years. This year's recital, "Dance And Tumble--Through The Decades!" will showcase the talents of ages 5 through senior adult in tumbling, tap, jazz, cheer, hip-hop, lyrical and modern jazz. Act 1- "Oldies" begins at 2:30 and Act 2-"Goodies" begins at 4:30p.m.


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