GREEK THEATRE COMMUNITY ALERT APRIL 27th

Make your voice heard downtown

As we alerted you a week and a half ago, The Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP) is proposing to

take over the management of the Greek Theatre after the Commission voted last month to cancel the

RFP. On Wednesday morning (April 15) the Commission approved a plan presented by RAP staff for the

Department to self-operate the Greek Theatre starting on November 1, 2015.

Now City Council may step. Tomorrow (Tuesday, April 28th) City Council will hold a hearing on the plan

proposed by RAP to self-manage the Greek. Many Councilmembers are unhappy with this new

development and want to question RAP General Manager Michael Shull on the wisdom of this

plan–especially since the City is within rights to extend the current contract while a new RFP is prepared.

The Greek Theatre Advisory Committee (GTAC) has come out strong in opposition to RAP self-operation

of the venue. LFIA is in support of GTAC’s position including opposition to self-operation and advocating

for a two-year extension on the current contract with Nederlander in order to give RAP time to prepare

Our stance is that (1) RAP staff has neither the experience nor the resources to undertake the complex

management of this facility that sits in the midst of a residential neighborhood and (2) running a world-

class entertainment venue is not a core function of RAP. Add RAP management of the Greek to the

current disruption we’re facing with an onslaught of Hollywood Sign tourist traffic now routed through our

already congested streets and, well, you’re getting the picture…

If you share the concern at the prospect of Recreation and Parks taking over the management of the

Greek please send an email registering your concerns with City Council or attend the meeting on

Tuesday and give your comments in person.

IF YOU’VE ALREADY WRITTEN: Write again, your input will be seen by a new set of eyes.

Every individual letter counts. Every individual, in-person Public Comment counts. We must show them a

wide community alarm on this matter.

EMAIL INSTRUCTIONS

Email: LA City Council, Herbert J. Wesson, Jr., President, City Council:

Subject: Council File 14-1500-S1 RAP Self-operation of the Greek Theatre – OPPOSE

Cc: Tom LaBonge, Councilmember CD 4: tom.labonge@lacity.org

Paul Krekorian, Chair, Budget & Finance Committee: councilmember.Krekorian@lacity.org

Mitch O’Farrell, Chair, Arts, Parks, Health, Aging & River Committee:

Mike Shull, General Manager, Recreation and Parks: michael.a.shull@lacity.org

ATTEND THE MEETING ON TUESDAY

Be sure to fill out a Public Comment Card for agenda item 17 (file14-1500-S1) and check: (√) Opposed

Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Time: 10:00 AM

Location: Los Angeles City Hall, Council Chambers, 200 No. Spring Street, LA 90012

Thank you!

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