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Home My WebLink AboutR39-Economic Development Agency ECONOMIC YDEVELBOPPMENITOAGENCY ORIGINAL FROM: Emil A. Marzullo SUBJECT: Presentation of historical information and Interim Executive Director consideration of a Grant Application and License Agreement for the 216-Wurlitzer Organ located in the California Theatre of the DATE: May 28,2008 Performing Arts, 562 West 4`h Street, San Bernardino (Central City North Redevelopment Project Area) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------- ----------------------------------- Synopsis of Previous Commission/Council/Committee Action(s): On May 8, 2008, Redevelopment Committee Members Johnson and Baxter unanimously voted to recommend that the Community Development Commission consider this action for approval. I --- ----------------------------------------------------------- --------- -------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Recommended Motion(s): (Community Development Commission) MOTION: That the Community Development Commission of the City of San Bernardino authorize Agency Staff to submit a Save America's Treasures Grant Application to the National Parks Service in an estimated dollar amount of $358,000 for refurbishing, repairs and upgrades to the 216-Wurlitzer Organ located in the California Theatre of the Performing Arts, 562 West 4d' Street, San Bernardino and approve and authorize the Interim Executive Director to execute a form of a License Agreement with the Inland Empire Theatre Organ Society (Central City North Redevelopment Project Area) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Contact Person(s): Colin Strange Phone: (909)663-1044 Central City North Project Area(s): Redevelopment Project Area Ward(s): 1 Supporting Data Attached: Rl Staff Report❑Resolution(s)❑Agreement(s)/Contract(s) ❑ Map(s) ❑ Letter(s) FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: Amount: $ -0- Source: N/A Budget Authority: N/A SIGNATURE: Z, Fiscal Review: _ Emil A. arzullo,Inte m Ex tive Director Barbara Lindseth,Administrative Services Director ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Commission/Council Notes: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- P:Agendas\Comm Dev Commission\CDC 2008\06-02-08 Wuditzer Organ SR.doc COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA Meeting Date: 06/02/2008 Agenda Item Number: �k3 � ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY STAFF REPORT PRESENTATION OF HISTORICAL INFORMATION AND CONSIDERATION OF A GRANT APPLICATION AND LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR THE 216-WURLITZER ORGAN LOCATED IN THE CALIFORNIA THEATRE OF THE PERFORMING ARTS, 562 WEST 4TH STREET, SAN BERNARDINO (CENTRAL CITY NORTH REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA) BACKGROUND: The California Theatre of the Performing Arts is the only theatre in the world that is still in possession of it's original Style 216 Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ ("Organ") installed when the theatre was built in 1928. This instrument, which was designed by Frank Lanterman, was built by the Wurlitzer company in the 1920's and installed in Southern California Theatres. The Style 216 is generally acknowledged to be the finest two keyboard instrument ever produced by Wurlitzer, and of the 2,234 theatre organs built by this company, only twelve were of the Style 216. Pipe organs were a major accompaniment to the silent movies of the 1920's and the California Theatre instrument was a major part in establishing San Bernardino as a major location for previewing motion pictures from the late 1920's until right up to the beginning of World War II. Pipe organs contain a vast number of moving parts that are to a large extent constructed from leather and wood. If the instrument is not played regularly, this inaction allows accumulated dust and dirt to begin to clog the numerous small wind passages and valves of the organ, so causing an accelerating cycle of neglect and deterioration. Furthermore, without regular movement, the leather parts which form the bellows will begin to form permanent creases which will eventually crack over time. The Organ is at that point in time and has not been used on a regular basis for over twenty years. Therefore, as a result, close to half the Organ is now unusable. CURRENT ISSUE: If the Organ is not restored to full function in the very near future, it will deteriorate to the point where restoration will become an almost impossibly daunting task and a San Bernardino treasure, as well as a national treasure, could be lost forever. The Inland Empire Theatre Organ Society ("IETOS") is a California non-profit organization of pipe organ enthusiasts formed for the purpose of restoring the Style 216 Wurlitzer in the California Theatre. Their members consist of experts in pipe organ restoration who have been responsible for accomplishing similar restorations on the 1927 Wurlitzer in the Orpheum in Los Angeles, the 1927 Wurlitzer in the Plummer Auditorium in Fullerton and the 1929 Page Organ on Catalina. The members seek no remuneration for their efforts but perform these restorations out of pure devotion for the theater pipe organs of this era, and their desire to preserve these unique instruments for posterity. IETOS has requested access to the Style 216 Wurlitzer located in the California Theatre for the purpose of restoring this historic instrument at their own cost and are requesting a license agreement for a period of two years in order to have access to the Organ, at predetermined times, and in ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PA\Agendas\Comm Dev Commission\CDC 2008\06-02-08 Wurlitzer Organ SR.doc COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA Meeting Date: 06/02/2008 Agenda Item Number: '— Economic Development Agency Staff Report Wurlitzer Organ in the California Theatre Page 2 accordance with a schedule to be agreed with the current management of the theatre, who are extremely enthusiastic about the potential restoration of this unique asset. This initial license agreement will allow IETOS to perform the most urgently needed repairs and fully assess the work that will be needed to restore the Organ to a fully functioning condition under a long term agreement that provides for restoration, maintenance, and operation of the Organ. To assist IETOPS in their efforts, Agency Staff will simultaneously submit a Save America's Treasures Grant Application to the National Parks Service in an estimated dollar amount of$358,000. Once restoration is complete, it is envisaged that the California Theatre, in conjunction with IETOS, will provide solo organ concerts, silent film shows such as Phantom of the Opera accompanied by the pipe organ, specialty shows and even establish an organ school which will be one of only a very few in the world. Restoration of this unique instrument will honor the history and heritage of San Bernardino, increase its visibility nationally and globally, offer opportunities to generate more income for the theatre in a unique way and provide an educational experience for new generations to experience the past. To name a few, this project has been endorsed by ATOS (American Theatre Organ Society), LATOS (Los Angeles Theatre Organ Society) and OCTOS (Orange County Theatre Organ Society). ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: None. FISCAL IMPACT: None. RECOMMENDATION: That the Community Development Commission adopt the Motion. Emil A. Marzullo ` rim Executive Director ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- P:Wgendas\Comm Dev Commission\CDC 2008\06-02-08 Wurlitzer Organ SR.doc COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA Meeting Date: 06/02/2008 Agenda Item Number: