2023-06-15 · 76 comments · 49 / 27
Castro Movie TheaterDear Commissioners, I am watching the replay of the Tony Awards from the former Loew<U+2019>s Movie Palace in Washington Heights, now called the United Palace. It was a church for awhile apparently, but it has returned to its original glory as a theater. And while it is hosting a live performance, it still looks like a movie theater with permanent seating and a sloped floor. And they do show movies and it is … Dear Commissioners, I am watching the replay of the Tony Awards from the former Loew<U+2019>s Movie Palace in Washington Heights, now called the United Palace. It was a church for awhile apparently, but it has returned to its original glory as a theater. And while it is hosting a live performance, it still looks like a movie theater with permanent seating and a sloped floor. And they do show movies and it is an important part of the Washington Heights neighborhood. It is pretty fabulous theater inside and outside, almost unbelievably fabulous. The Loew<U+2019>s Movie Theaters as built in the heyday are mostly gone in New York City. Here in San Francisco we have the Castro Movie Theater. It is pretty fabulous too. The Castro is our very last movie palace also built in the heyday. Apparently they haven<U+2019>t removed the seats from the theater in Washington Heights. The traditional movie theater seats in the Castro Movie Theater should remain. It shouldn<U+2019>t be turned into a nightclub. It should remain a movie theater as proposed under the Conservancy. Please landmark the entire interior of the Castro, fixed seats and sloping floor included. Thank you. Georgia Schuttishshow more Save the Castro Theatre / Stop the DemolitionDear Commissions Secretary Planning, I am writing urge you to save San Francisco's 101-year-old Castro Theatre in the heart of the historic LGBTQ+ Castro neighborhood. Ahead of the upcoming joint hearing of the Historic Preservation and Planning Commissions, the Castro Theatre Conservancy and the Castro LGBTQ Cultural District submitted a list of conditions that should be considered before permits are given to A… Dear Commissions Secretary Planning, I am writing urge you to save San Francisco's 101-year-old Castro Theatre in the heart of the historic LGBTQ+ Castro neighborhood. Ahead of the upcoming joint hearing of the Historic Preservation and Planning Commissions, the Castro Theatre Conservancy and the Castro LGBTQ Cultural District submitted a list of conditions that should be considered before permits are given to Another Planet Entertainment (APE) to convert the Castro Theatre from a multi-use movie palace to a venue for "Nighttime Entertainment Use,<U+201D> which includes use of the theater as a nightclub, bar, and venue for private corporate rentals. I fully support these proposed conditions which add assurance that the conditions will be enforceable and work to increase theater activity and community access throughout the year. Absent these conditions, which include additional assurance that the conditions will be enforceable and that the community will not bear all of the risk of APE<U+2019>s experiment, I cannot support the Planning Department<U+2019>s finding that a Conditional Use Authorization is either necessary or desirable. The proposed conditions would augment the current proposed conditions as follows: 1. Increase the number of days in each calendar year on which film would be shown at the theater from 75 to 180 days, including no fewer than 100 days of films shown during the daytime. 2. Increase the number of days in each calendar year that must include events open to the general public from 180 to 250 days, and remove the option for solely private parties that are not open to the general public to count toward that threshold. 3. Establish the Castro Theatre Oversight Board, based on the similar Fox Oakland Theater Board (FOTB), to oversee operation of the theater consistent with all conditions, to preserve and sustain the theater as a cultural resource and arts and education facility, and to ensure that this key asset attracts visitors, promotes LGBTQ+ cultural heritage, and contributes to the vibrancy and sustainability of the Castro neighborhood. 4. Require at least 80 days in each calendar year of events related to LGBTQ+ arts and culture. 5. Require that the theater be made available for periodic educational and other purposes, including public tours, and for periodic use by community nonprofits. 6. Require that at least 50 percent of concessions be sourced from local Castro neighborhood businesses. 7. Establish that the default arrangement of the theater shall be with motorized risers in place and with theatrical style chairs on the risers. 8. Repair and restore the Castro Theatre<U+2019>s iconic <U+201C>blade<U+201D> sign during the first 30 days of operation under a Conditional Use authorization. 9. Allow access to the Castro Theatre for public tours for educational purposes at least 12 days per year. 10. Allow access to the Castro Theatre for community-based nonprofit organizations for educational or philanthropic purposes at least 12 days per year. Based on my knowledge of APE<U+2019>s plans, I believe that each of these proposals is achievable and justified. I respectfully request your thoughtful consideration of these proposals, and that you weigh them against the irreversible alterations being proposed to a City Landmark, an unparalleled beacon of diversity, inclusion, and LGBTQ+ heritage. Terry Beswick San Franciscans to Save the Castro Theatre Co-chair San Francisco, Californiashow more Honor the Strong Castro and LGBTQ Community Support for APE"s Restoration of the Castro TheatreDear Commissioners, Neighbors for a Restored Castro Theatre is a group of queer and Castro community members supporting Another Planet Entertainment<U+2019>s (APE) plans for a multi-use Castro Theatre. We were frustrated that over the last year, despite broad support for APE's plans from the Castro and LGBTQ communities, a misleading public narrative took hold suggesting that those same communities opposed… Dear Commissioners, Neighbors for a Restored Castro Theatre is a group of queer and Castro community members supporting Another Planet Entertainment<U+2019>s (APE) plans for a multi-use Castro Theatre. We were frustrated that over the last year, despite broad support for APE's plans from the Castro and LGBTQ communities, a misleading public narrative took hold suggesting that those same communities opposed the project. Over the last two months, through a collaborative organizing effort among community groups and local residents, that narrative has dramatically shifted. The following neighborhood, LGBTQ, performance, and film groups that depend on a thriving Castro Theatre have publicly endorsed APE's plans or opposed the landmarking of the theater's seats and raked floor (referenced in this Hoodline article): Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club (see tweet) Castro Merchants Association (in a nearly unanimous vote; along with a petition endorsing APE's plans signed by 100+ Castro merchant owners and managers) Castro/Upper Market Community Benefit District Eureka Valley Neighborhood Association Frameline Film Festival Hartford Street Neighbors (street on the back side of the Castro Theatre property; letter attached) San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus Castro Organ Devotees Association Movies For Maniacs Castro and LGBTQ community members have likewise made their voices heard directly. In addition to the letters that you all received, nearly 600 unique letter writers participated in our campaign to the Board of Supervisors, urging them not to stop APE's project from moving forward (letter template attached). 77% of those letters came from the Castro's 94114 zip code or immediately adjacent zip codes. This group also made their voices heard at the last major public hearing on the project, the April 17 Board of Supervisors Land Use and Transportation Committee meeting, outnumbering project opponents 75 to 51 (referenced in this Bay Area Reporter article). Op-eds and letters by the following community members, including our own group, have outlined the case for why APE's project is good for the Castro Theatre and community: Op-ed by Donna Sachet, First Lady of the Castro, a longtime San Francisco drag activist, entertainer, and fundraiser Open Letter to the Board of Supervisors by Neil Sekhri, former Deputy City Attorney handling real estate and historic preservation issues for the Port of San Francisco; former board member of San Francisco Heritage; passionate cinephile who has attended films at the Castro Theatre for decades; and 35- year San Francisco resident and member of the LGBTQ+ community Op-ed by Ralph Hibbs, Board member of the Castro/Upper Market Community Benefit District and Brendan Smith, Castro resident Letter from Neighbors for a Restored Castro Theatre to the Castro Theatre Conservancy on May 11 (we are disappointed that as Castro and LGBTQ community members we are yet to receive a response over one month later) Most recently, District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, in his remarks at the June 6 Board of Supervisors meeting, noted that, "The sentiment in the neighborhood, at least as I am reading it, is strongly in support of the APE project." As Castro and LGBTQ community members that spend much of our time around the theater, we have observed the same sentiment. We hope that you will consider the community's strong support for this project and approve the Certificate of Appropriateness, Planning Code Amendments, and Conditional Use Authorization before you on June 15 so this project, with the corresponding benefits it will bring to our community, can move forward without further delay. Sincerely, Joe Sangirardi, Co-Chair, Castro resident Mike Murray, Co-Chair, Castro resident Neighbors for a Restored Castro Theater restorecastrotheatre.com Instagram: @restore_the_castro_theatre Email: [email removed] CC: Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, District 8 Supervisor Jonas P. Ionin, Director of Commission Affairs May 11, 2023 VIA EMAIL Castro Theatre Conservancy Peter Pastreich, Executive Director Robert Byrne, President Brett Andrews Allegra Bandy John Bengtson Owsley Brown Mark Cavagnero Scott Emblidge Wesley Emblidge Jeffrey Fraenkel Christopher Hest Deborah Holley Nancy A. Mims Bradford Paul Julie Richter Kristi Yim Charles Zukow Dear Castro Theatre Conservancy, We are queer people who live in and around the Castro. We are lovers of queer art, film, theater, music, and comedy. We are passionate patrons of the Castro Theatre and have attended Frameline, Peaches Christ productions, musical sing-alongs, and other queer events. We want a Castro Theatre that is fully restored and filled with entertained audiences at the center of the world<U+2019>s most recognized LGBTQ+ neighborhood. We think you do, too. But we disagree with your position that the theater's sloped floor and fixed seats must remain for several reasons, two of which we will highlight here: A 1,400-seat theater with fixed seating will not be filled with packed audiences several times a week for film screenings, and certainly not 262 days per year as proposed in your April 2023 Plan. In that plan you hope to sell 400 tickets to movies, a stretch target given average historic attendance in the low-to-middle double-digits for such showings and the decline of ticket sales industry wide in recent years. Many of us walk by the Castro Theatre everyday, and it has been many years since the theater could attract 400+ crowds on a daily basis. With the flexibility to host both seated and standing audiences, we know the theater will have higher attendance and be better utilized. Fixed seating condemns the Castro Theatre to, at best, a future of sparsely attended events that do not contribute to the vibrancy of our neighborhood. Queer art is not limited to art forms that are performed for seated audiences. A fixed seating format excludes LGBTQ+ art, music, and performers that demand a standing-room only audience. Most queer people know the magical communal experience of dancing alongside one another in standing-room- only spaces. Many of these performers and their audiences are young, BIPOC, and at the vanguard of queer creativity. Fixed seating excludes many of the queer artists and audiences that we need at the center of a thriving and diverse community. We respect your love for film and grand movie palaces that are increasingly rare in a world dominated by mall cinemas and streaming services. You have asked for compromise to preserve more film programming, yet your demands to <U+201C>Save the Seats<U+201D> preclude any compromise. Fixed seating dooms the Castro Theatre as a viable business, as your advocacy for a donor-funded, non-profit model demonstrates. As this fight drags on, our neighborhood becomes more divided and our businesses and their workers suffer. Your uncompromising position, regardless of your intentions, is limiting the theater's potential and that of our neighborhood. Another Planet Entertainment (APE) is ready to execute its $15 million plan to restore the theater and sustainably operate a multi-use venue with film, theater, and live music. Your organization was established in July 2020, yet you haven<U+2019>t made any progress on raising the funds needed to renovate the theater nor to subsidize its operations in perpetuity. The owners of the theater have at least twice rejected your plans, including the most recent one, noting that those plans lack binding commitments to make needed capital improvements and any funds to do so. This gives us great trepidation about what will come if you force APE to abandon this project. We ask you to end your campaign to stop APE<U+2019>s restoration proposal before our community is left empty-handed. How can you help? We welcome your input and contributions regarding how film programming can remain strong at a multi-purpose venue. We know that APE cannot program the theater every day of the year. Can you tap into your donor network to support screenings that require subsidy? Can you support queer filmmakers and bring their art to our neighborhood? That is a conversation we would welcome and applaud. Your plan demands you take control of our beloved cultural institution for at least the next 60 years, and imposes your vision of an event calendar that excludes artists many neighborhood residents would like to see. While you have some local support, we hope you recognize LGBTQ+ people are not a monolith. At the April 17 Board of Supervisors Land Use and Transportation Committee hearing, 85 community members, largely queer residents of the Castro, spoke in support of a flexible venue, while just 58 speakers called for fixed seating. The vast majority of our local merchants have endorsed the project, as has our neighborhood association (EVNA), and cornerstone queer cultural institutions like Frameline and the San Francisco Gay Men<U+2019>s Chorus, among others. Our gay elected representative, Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, has stated his opposition to landmarking the fixed seating. Those chanting, "Save the Seats," do not represent us. We long watched this fight from the sidelines, hoping that a shared solution would be reached. We hoped that positions would evolve and that our perspectives would be included in the debate. But now we are speaking, and we hope that you will respect our voices as LGBTQ+ community members and those most impacted by your actions. End your call to <U+201C>Save the Seats,<U+201D> and instead think about how you can constructively contribute to saving the Theatre, the neighborhood, and the Castro<U+2019>s place at the center of LGBTQ+ culture. Sincerely, Joe Sangirardi, Co-Chair Mike Murray, Co-Chair Neighbors for a Restored Castro Theater restorecastrotheatre.com Instagram: @restore_the_castro_theatre Facebook: Restore the Castro Theatre Email: [email removed] CC: San Francisco Board of Supervisors Historic Preservation Commission Planning Commission Guest Opinion: The Castro Theatre can thrive again <U+2014> but it must adapt by Ralph Hibbs and Brendan Smith | Wednesday May 3, 2023 In January 2022, Another Planet Entertainment announced an agreement with the Nasser family, which owns the century-old Castro Theatre. APE would take over management and programming of the magnificent but decaying venue at the heart of the Castro and invest $15 million to restore its historic features, improve its facilities and accessibility, and install removable seats on the main level to allow for a greater diversity of programming. Since that announcement, public discussion on the proposed renovation has been dominated by a vocal minority opposed to APE's plans who claim to represent the neighborhood's interests. Yet over the last two months, the many Castro community members who back the renovation plans have made their voices heard. At an April 17 Board of Supervisors land use committee hearing on the theater, a coalition of Castro residents and merchants filled the meeting room to express support for APE's proposal. They held signs that read, "Save Our Jobs, Save Our Neighborhood, Save Our Businesses." During the public comment period, supporters of APE's plan outnumbered opponents 85 to 58. They sent hundreds of letters to committee members prior to the hearing and submitted a petition signed by over 100 Castro business owners and managers endorsing APE's proposal without conditions. Despite this broad support, the committee voted 2-1 to endorse historically landmarking the theater's fixed seats, which would likely block APE from carrying out the renovation. It's not just APE's renovation plans that have wide community backing. Its programming plans do as well. COVID-19 and competition from streaming services have caused movie ticket sales to plummet, and rather than bind the Castro Theatre to a declining industry, neighbors see expanding its uses to include live music events and comedy shows, among others, as both desirable and prudent. Many queer people, particularly from younger generations, regularly travel downtown and across the bay to attend concerts at other venues. Sadly, the Castro Theatre's previous programming largely failed to entice these same individuals to visit the historic venue in the city's premier LGBTQ+ neighborhood. Were the theater able to host the acclaimed artists APE can secure, it would significantly broaden its appeal <U+2014> giving residents access to diverse, high-quality entertainment options and bolstering its ability to operate sustainably well into the future. Perhaps most importantly, increased foot traffic in the Castro would be a sorely needed boon for the local economy. A 2019 study of arts and performance venues in Chicago found that every dollar spent on tickets generates about $12 of economic impact for the community. With between 51-55 retail vacancies blighting the footprint of the Castro Community Benefit District, a thriving venue that regularly hosts events with over 1,000 people could dramatically revitalize the neighborhood and boost our local businesses, including the many that are LGBTQ+-owned. So how did we get embroiled in controversy over 20-year-old seats? In April 2022, a small union of groups joined together to demand that the Nasser family, who built and have owned the theater for the past 101 years, fulfill a long list of unreasonable demands. Little respect was shown for their past stewardship or their vision for the theater's future. Even more importantly, they showed no understanding of the basic economics of operating an aging large-scale theater. Each had their own reasons for blocking APE's proposal including nostalgic memories of past cinema experiences or a narrow view of what constitutes LGBTQ+ programming. What they lacked was a practical concept for operating an entertainment venue in the 21st century. Unsurprisingly, there is not a throng of programming companies clamoring to take on this project. And the Castro Theatre Conservancy, a group intent on landmarking the movie-palace style seating, has not offered a viable plan. The plan released by the group on April 26 is aspirational, lacking firm funding commitments, a detailed financial plan, and any evidence of a sustainable operating model. The CTC plan demands that the Nasser family sell it the theater or lease it for at least 60 years while it attempts to raise $20-$40 million for renovations <U+2014> with no guarantee of success. Because the Nasser family does not wish to sell, the CTC has backed the fixed-seating amendment as a way to doom any programming model other than the film-dominated one it proposes, in effect forcing the family to cede control of the theater their grandfather built. And the 250-plus days of film programming per year that the conservancy proposes is simply not viable in a 1,400-seat theater. APE has made tangible commitments to address the concerns of opponents. It added $3 million to its investment budget to improve the film experience with a new sound system, screen, and automated raked floor that delivers improved sight lines and more comfortable seating. It pledged to make the theater ADA-compliant and accessible to all. It committed to a minimum of 33% film and 25% LGBTQ+ programming, as well as eight community days per year when it will be offered at greatly reduced cost to community groups. We believe APE respects the Castro Theatre's history and understands its importance as a gathering place for our community. As the Castro rebuilds from COVID-19, we need to welcome businesses that want to invest in our neighborhood. A bustling, restored Castro Theatre is essential to the long-term health of our businesses, our street life, and our neighborhood's ability to remain a beacon of queer life for generations to come. Change is difficult, but the renovation plan presented by APE offers an opportunity for this venue to adapt and thrive in a new era, and we can't afford to let that slip away. If the full Board of Supervisors votes to accept the Land Use Committee's amendment landmarking the fixed seats, it could mean "lights out" for the Castro Theatre. Ralph Hibbs is a gay resident of the Castro who led the merchant petition effort for unconditional support of APE's renovation plans. Brendan Smith is a gay resident of the Castro who has co-led neighbor mobilization efforts in support of the renovation plans. Both are part of a group of neighbors organizing local support for the project. They can be reached at [email removed] or on Instagram at @restore_the_castro_theatre Help keep the Bay Area Reporter going in these tough times. To support local, independent, LGBTQ journalism, consider becoming a BAR member. 6/13/23, 11:19 AM An Open Letter to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors: The Castro Theatre | by Neil Sekhri | May, 2023 | Medium https://medium.com/@neilsekhri/an-open-letter-to-the-san-francisco-board-of-supervisors-the-castro-theatre-737ace7fa496 1/9 An Open Letter to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors: The Castro Theatre Neil Sekhri Follow 5 min read May 11 Listen Share May 11, 2023 San Francisco Board of Supervisors, I am a San Francisco resident and member of the LGBTQ+ community for more than 35 years. I fully support APE<U+2019>s plan to restore and reinvigorate the Castro Theatre and ask that you reject the interior landmarking of <U+201C>fixed theatrical seating in movie palace Open in app Sign up Sign In Search Medium 6/13/23, 11:19 AM An Open Letter to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors: The Castro Theatre | by Neil Sekhri | May, 2023 | Medium https://medium.com/@neilsekhri/an-open-letter-to-the-san-francisco-board-of-supervisors-the-castro-theatre-737ace7fa496 2/9 style.<U+201D> I have tracked this matter closely and hope that I can offer an informed opinion based on many years of experience as a former Deputy City Attorney handling real estate and historic preservation issues for the Port of San Francisco, a former board member of San Francisco Heritage and a passionate cinephile who has attended films at the Castro Theatre for decades. I write in my personal capacity, not as a legal representative for any party, but out of a long-standing appreciation for this cherished building and concern for its future. We all share a common interest in the continued success of the Castro Theatre. To me, success means (1) upgrades to building systems, including ADA access, mechanical systems (including HVAC) and theatre systems; (2) exterior and interior historic restoration consistent with Secretary Standards; (3) flexible programming to attract new and broader audiences to the Castro Theatre and neighborhood for films and live shows; and (4) a viable business plan that does not rely upon unpredictable sources of public funding or constant fundraising. I have been particularly heartened by the outpouring of support by Castro residents and the younger queer community that are fighting for this opportunity to improve their neighborhood, support local businesses and attract new audiences to the Castro. I implore that you listen to them. The only question before you at this hearing is whether <U+201C>fixed theatrical seating in movie palace style<U+201D> should be added to the interior landmarking of the Castro, when the seats themselves are barely twenty-years old. I do not believe there is a fundamental historic preservation interest to landmarking any particular type of non- historic building system, including the seats. It is a given that the key interior historic architectural features, such as the decorative ceiling and wall murals, will be preserved. With that in mind, the primary historic preservation objective should be continued use as a movie theatre, consistent with Secretary of Interior Standard #1 (<U+201C>property should be used as it was historically<U+201D>). APE<U+2019>s proposal fully meets this standard by not seeking a change of use permit and committing to continued movie theatre use, but with the addition of flexible seating that will allow a wider range of programming All movie theatres, even historic ones, must continuously adapt to changing tastes and technology to remain relevant. Having just returned from the TCM Hollywood Film Festival held at the Grauman<U+2019>s Chinese Theater, I would note that the owners recently 6/13/23, 11:19 AM An Open Letter to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors: The Castro Theatre | by Neil Sekhri | May, 2023 | Medium https://medium.com/@neilsekhri/an-open-letter-to-the-san-francisco-board-of-supervisors-the-castro-theatre-737ace7fa496 3/9 removed the seats, re-graded the floor and installed tiered stadium-style seats as part of a new IMAX theater upgrade to maintain the theatre<U+2019>s continued viability as a first- run movie house. Had the proposed interior landmarking designation of movie- palace<U+2019> style seating applied to perhaps the world<U+2019>s most iconic historic movie theater, the owners would have been hamstrung and unable to adapt to changing times and technologies. Even if the APE proposal does not move forward, the proposed landmarking of the movie palace seating arrangement is extremely problematic for the continued success of the venue, even as a movie theater. Because there is no legal mandate for landmarking the seating arrangement, the Board is faced with a policy decision that will likely decide the future of the Castro. A vote to <U+201C>Save the [Fixed] Seats<U+201D> will not fill them with paying customers. A vote to <U+201C>Save the [Fixed] Seats<U+201D> is fundamentally in conflict with the needs of the Castro to adapt to changing times and audiences. A vote to <U+201C>Save the [Fixed] Seats<U+201D> may well lose us the Castro Theatre as we know it. On a personal note, the Castro has been a mainstay of my San Francisco cultural experience for decades. I<U+2019>ve attended sold-out Frameline showings and the Silent Film Festival since its inception, enjoyed the sing-alongs and special events. My husband and I experienced an earthquake watching Fellini<U+2019>s 8 on the big screen and I take my 99-year mother to enjoy silent movies that are younger than she, in a theatre older than she. But as a movie lover, year over year, I<U+2019>ve seen the audiences dwindle. First, as hard-to-find titles became widely available on VHS and DVDs, and then as streaming services allowed us to access these movies from anywhere. Finally, the threat of COVID kept the last of us big-screen fans away, at least for a while. And it<U+2019>s not for lack of trying. The Castro<U+2019>s programming is world class, appealing to wide audiences and interests, not just the queer community. But from my first visit in the late 1980s, enduring uncomfortable seats, inadequate restrooms down a steep and very narrow stairway and an utter lack of ventilation, I always wondered how a 1,400- seat theatre could survive by playing art house rarities to an audience of a few dozen on most nights. Even during their 100-year celebration, with an amazing line-up of classic films spanning 10 decades and $1 tickets, they were unable to fill the seats, not even close. Those days cannot continue indefinitely. 6/13/23, 11:19 AM An Open Letter to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors: The Castro Theatre | by Neil Sekhri | May, 2023 | Medium https://medium.com/@neilsekhri/an-open-letter-to-the-san-francisco-board-of-supervisors-the-castro-theatre-737ace7fa496 4/9 A vote to save fixed seats will not change the fact that not enough people go to movies anymore to support the day-to-day staffing and maintenance costs of running a 100- year old historic building, let alone support a $15 million historic rehabilitation, new state-of-the art equipment, ADA access and a working ventilation system. The recent restoration of the historic Four Star Theater as a single-screen 330-seat repertory house is a cautionary tale, as they screen films daily to an almost empty theater and must turn to crowd funding just to keep the lights on. The intangible cultural heritage of the space<U+2019> to quote the Landmark Designation Fact Sheet is exactly that: intangible. People and events created that heritage, not the arrangement of the seats. APE<U+2019>s proposal is not only viable, but it will expand, not limit, opportunities for those intangible values: community building, audience participation, cultural production and personal meaning. Flexible seating will accommodate continued film programming and festivals for film-lovers like me. The addition of live music and shows provides greater potential to serve the community and will bring new audiences to the Castro. They may watch movies on their phones and computers, but they will flock to live shows to experience the restored architectural splendor and give new life and meaning to the Castro as it enters its second century. As San Franciscans, we should unite in encouraging APE to make this the best possible project and then hold them to their commitments, not doom the project<U+2019>s feasibility before it begins. So I urge you to reject the proposed amendment and continue to work together with APE and the community to make this project a success. Very truly yours, Neil Sekhri Film San Francisco Castro Theatre Arts And Entertainment LGBTQ 6/13/23, 11:18 AM Why updating the Castro Theatre matters to me | by The Bold Italic | Apr, 2023 | The Bold Italic https://thebolditalic.com/why-updating-castro-theatre-matters-to-me-ff43ce0d8295 1/16 Why updating the Castro Theatre matters to me San Francisco drag queen Donna Sachet writes passionately in favor of renovating our beloved space in the heart of The City<U+2019>s LGBTQ+ neighborhood The Bold Italic Follow Published in The Bold Italic 6 min read Apr 20 Listen Share Castro Theatre. Photo by Brad Coy. Open in app Sign up Sign In Search Medium 6/13/23, 11:18 AM Why updating the Castro Theatre matters to me | by The Bold Italic | Apr, 2023 | The Bold Italic https://thebolditalic.com/why-updating-castro-theatre-matters-to-me-ff43ce0d8295 2/16 By Donna Sachet I<U+2019>ve always said to those who claim they are not political that sitting on the sidelines is a political act. So when it comes to the future of the 100-year-old Castro Theatre, we should all be informed, engaged, and vocal, especially those of us who call the Castro home. When people call the Castro Theatre their temple, I get it. I<U+2019>ve attended screenings during the internationally known and respected Frameline Film Festival, celebrated the holidays with a packed house on Christmas Eve with the SF Gay Men<U+2019>s Chorus (both on stage and in the audience), met Debbie Reynolds, Ann Miller, Ann Blyth, Kim Novak, and others at Mark Huestis productions honoring these stars, remembered Gilbert Baker, the creator of the rainbow flag, at his memorial, dressed to the nines for the world premiere of the award-winning film MILK, and enjoyed comedy, music, drag, and other forms of entertainment there over the past three decades. I was even the target of <U+201C>The Roast of Donna Sachet<U+201D> there in 2018, thanks to Peaches Christ and Heklina. 6/13/23, 11:18 AM Why updating the Castro Theatre matters to me | by The Bold Italic | Apr, 2023 | The Bold Italic https://thebolditalic.com/why-updating-castro-theatre-matters-to-me-ff43ce0d8295 3/16 Castro Theatre marquee with Jan Wahl & Donna Sachet, 2012. Photo courtesty of Donna Sachet. 6/13/23, 11:18 AM Why updating the Castro Theatre matters to me | by The Bold Italic | Apr, 2023 | The Bold Italic https://thebolditalic.com/why-updating-castro-theatre-matters-to-me-ff43ce0d8295 4/16 Beyond all the arguments, meetings, and posturing over the recent proposals by Another Planet Entertainment (APE), one thing has become abundantly clear: The Castro Theatre is a beloved and iconic building, rightfully designated a historic place by the Historic Preservation Commission, and no one wants to see it close. But the ongoing controversy over APE<U+2019>s management contract has called many in the community to action and, unfortunately, caused months of delays, a darkened theatre, and disagreement between friends. Although there are many issues at hand, it seems to me that we currently find one side mistrusting APE, vehemently committed to keeping this venue purely as a movie showplace, and coming dangerously close to threatening the future of the building in any form. I have tried to keep up with the arguments on both sides, but I have definitely planted my flag on the side of moving forward with APE<U+2019>s plans. Screen capture of Castro Theatre renovation plans from its website. If you<U+2019>ve been following this discussion, you probably first became aware of a large group of locals opposed to APE when they unveiled plans to remove a number of seats on the main floor in order to accommodate events of different kinds. Dedicated movie fans voiced concerns over the loss of the true movie viewing experience, particularly 6/13/23, 11:18 AM Why updating the Castro Theatre matters to me | by The Bold Italic | Apr, 2023 | The Bold Italic https://thebolditalic.com/why-updating-castro-theatre-matters-to-me-ff43ce0d8295 5/16 sight-lines and a feeling of camaraderie with other attendees, while others noted the diminishing film audiences, closing of single movie theaters, and fatality of a venue limited to one kind of event. 'We only have one Castro Theatre': Battle over S.F. landmark's future is about more than just seats Dressed head to toe in her signature bright red hues, the drag queen Donna Sachet strode down one of the Castro www.sfchronicle.com Suddenly, the slogan became <U+201C>Save the Seats!<U+201D> After some hand-wringing by APE, already having committed to spend $15 million in structural repairs, interior and exterior renovation, ADA accessibility, back-stage improvements, and more, presented a plan to install a motorized system to create a raked floor where removable seats could be installed for film showings. All this would come at considerable additional expense. A snazzy video demonstrated the concept and proved that sight-lines would be the same or better. But over the course of months, any alteration of the seating arrangement became the single biggest issue dividing supporters and opponents. 6/13/23, 11:18 AM Why updating the Castro Theatre matters to me | by The Bold Italic | Apr, 2023 | The Bold Italic https://thebolditalic.com/why-updating-castro-theatre-matters-to-me-ff43ce0d8295 6/16 Castro Theatre. Photo by Mitch Altman. As I have said many times, I don<U+2019>t believe that any of the many wonderful experiences I<U+2019>ve had at the Castro Theatre was dependent on the seating arrangement. Frankly, I find the steeply raked floor dangerous when entering in heels and the lumpy seats uncomfortable at best. But the bigger issue is why has this become the primary impediment to any compromise? Are we really willing to ignore APE<U+2019>s many planned improvements, but solely focused on a seating change? If this proposed change will make it possible for APE to book different kinds of events, like comedy shows, concerts with headliners, private and community parties, in addition to film, why not embrace it? If the carefully researched plans that APE has for the Castro Theatre rely heavily on creating a more versatile seating arrangement, are we not jeopardizing the vitality of this iconic building, its future viability, and the undeniable contribution it makes to the Castro neighborhood and the entire city? SF supervisors' committee backs fixed seating at Castro Theatre on divided vote 6/13/23, 11:18 AM Why updating the Castro Theatre matters to me | by The Bold Italic | Apr, 2023 | The Bold Italic https://thebolditalic.com/why-updating-castro-theatre-matters-to-me-ff43ce0d8295 7/16 The San Francisco Board of Supervisors' Land Use and Transportation Committee voted 2-1 April 17 in favor of an www.ebar.com This week<U+2019>s Land Use Commission meeting seemed to be pivotal, so hundreds of concerned citizens packed the chamber and many others phoned in. The vote was whether to add an amendment to the protection of the historic character of the interior of the Castro Theatre to specifically include raked orchestral seating in classic movie style. If you<U+2019>ve ever attended one of the these meetings, you know that it involves a major time commitment and most of that time is spent waiting, listening, and questioning the process. Monday<U+2019>s meeting was particularly puzzling in that after hours of citizen statements and a brief suggestion from the District 8 Supervisor that the amendment should be voted down, Board President Aaron Peskin shifted the discussion away from the suitability or need for this amendment to the business tactics, sincerity, and legal contact fulfillment of APE at Bill Graham Auditorium. For many of us, this came way out of left field. For those mistrustful of APE to begin with, it became fodder for their thoughts. For others, it was a clear distraction from the issue at hand. The vote was finally taken and the amendment remains by a vote of 2 to 1. Photo 1: Donna & Nell Carter with SF Gay Men<U+2019>s Chorus on stage of Castro Theater, 1999. Photo 2: Debbie Reynolds, Donna, and Jan Wahl at Castro Theatre, 2005. Both photos courtesy of Donna Sachet. 6/13/23, 11:18 AM Why updating the Castro Theatre matters to me | by The Bold Italic | Apr, 2023 | The Bold Italic https://thebolditalic.com/why-updating-castro-theatre-matters-to-me-ff43ce0d8295 8/16 As anyone who is familiar with San Francisco government knows that this is not the end. For technical reasons, the same Land Use Commission must vote again next week to finalize their action and then the full Board of Supervisors must vote on whether to accept the recommendation of this commission, thereby locking in the current seating configuration. So, as the arguments continue, I challenge you to examine the facts, consider the sources of information, and question the motivation of some players. And then, let your feelings be known. This is, at the most basic level, what democracy is all about. As for me, I would like to see the Castro Theatre continue to provide wonderful experiences to future generations. And only with care and some improvements, will it remain the landmark that it is. Donna Sachet is a drag activist, entertainer, and fundraiser. 6/13/23, 11:18 AM Why updating the Castro Theatre matters to me | by The Bold Italic | Apr, 2023 | The Bold Italic https://thebolditalic.com/why-updating-castro-theatre-matters-to-me-ff43ce0d8295 9/16 Follow Written by The Bold Italic 36K Followers Editor for The Bold Italic We<U+2019>re the team behind The Bold Italic, an online magazine celebrating the spirit of San Francisco. Brought to you by GrowSF. 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Around the same time, I also logged out of 8 min read Apr 18 28K 583 Attila Vg in The Gray Area Apple Just Held Its Most Mind-blowing Event In Modern Tech History Forget the first-ever launch of the iPhone, the iPad, or even Apple Silicon. 7 min read Jun 5 1.3K 28 See more recommendations Neighbors for a Restore Castro Theatre Email Campaign to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors Email Template To: San Francisco Board of Supervisors Subject: Castro Theatre: Support the HPC Recommendation and Reject Fixed Seating Amendment Body: As a concerned citizen of San Francisco, I write to you today to express my strong support for Another Planet Entertainment (APE) and their proposed restoration of the Castro Theatre. This restoration work, which would ensure the future of the building as a live events and film space, is imperiled by the Land Use and Transportation Committee<U+2019>s amendment to the landmark designation for the theater. This amendment, requiring the Castro Theatre to preserve the "raked floor and fixed seating in a 'movie palace' style", will tether this private business to an outdated and unviable business model. Another Planet has outlined a thoughtful renovation plan that includes accessibility and ventilation upgrades, restoring the art deco ceiling and chandelier, preserving the interior murals, and transitioning the orchestra level into a tiered floor to maintain existing seated programming such as film, lectures and choral performances, while allowing the venue to also be used for standing room concerts, celebratory events, and other community-focused programming. Opponents of the renovation plan would like it to be thought that they speak for all Castro Merchants, film-lovers, members of the LGBTQ community, or neighborhood residents. They do not speak for me, and I strongly believe they do not speak for the majority of the aforementioned groups they claim to represent. The renovation plan has strong support among Castro Merchants, various film festivals, members of the LGBTQ community, and neighborhood residents, who are excited to see a treasured neighborhood landmark preserved for future generations. I have faith that Another Planet Entertainment will be excellent stewards of not only the Castro Theatre, but also the rich history it represents to cinephiles, the LGBTQ Community, and the neighborhood. Please vote to replace the "raked floor and fixed seating in a 'movie palace' style" language in the amended landmark designation with the original <U+201C>presence of seating<U+201D> language proposed by the Historic Preservation Commission. 6/13/23, 11:12 AM Gmail - Homeowners / Neighbors support for APE & the Castro Theater https://mail.google.com/mail/u/2/?ik=a91b235bba&view=pt&search=all&permmsgid=msg-f:1765567537080058815&simpl=msg-f:17655675370800588 1/2 Restore the Castro Theatre [email removed]> Homeowners / Neighbors support for APE & the Castro Theater Leslie T [email removed]> Wed, May 10, 2023 at 8:39 PM To: [email removed], [email removed], [email removed], [email removed], [email removed], [email removed], [email removed], [email removed], [email removed], [email removed], [email removed], [email removed], [email removed] Cc: Dan Serot [email removed]>, Mary Conde [email removed]>, Rae Livingston [email removed]>, [email removed], Andrew Junius [email removed]> (bcc: homeowners / neighbors) To the SF Board of Supervisors, We're writing as the Hartford Street homeowners living directly behind the Castro Theater, offering our full support of APE<U+2019>s plans to restore the venue and revive the neighborhood. Many of us share lot lines with the Theater, and many more of us have lived on Hartford for decades. As neighbors, we<U+2019>ve banded together and put tens of thousands of our own dollars into revitalizing the block over the years. We want the Castro District and its LGBTQ+ spirit to thrive, and the Theater<U+2019>s success is central to that. Our reasons are as follows <U+2013> 1. Much-needed maintenance: We see the Theater<U+2019>s issues first hand, and live with them on a daily basis. From our literal backyards, we<U+2019>ve coordinated access with the Theater's owners to repair leaks in their roof. As Castro Street regulars and Theater-goers ourselves, we know from lived experience that the neon sign, delicate interior and major systems are in dire need of attention. APE<U+2019>s renovation plans will undoubtedly return the Theater to its former beauty, with modern functionality. 2. Inclusive programming: We're excited to see a vibrant entertainment scene here. Improving the Theater's versatility addresses the reality that film alone will never support its operating costs. Not only that, but APE will offer visitors and performers (including those who are mobility-impaired) a new way to contribute to and engage with the neighborhood. With APE, the Theater will become a destination for even more people to celebrate queer community in a greater variety of formats. 3. Traditional importance: The Castro Theater is a signal of societal progress. It's a destination where people can learn about and become more accepting towards humanity's differences. And by building a more accessible space that welcomes a diversity of art forms, APE will perpetuate what made originally made our neighborhood magical. Without APE, the Theater will go dark, and instead serve as a signal of close-mindedness, and ultimately be a heartbreaking reminder of what our community used to be. The Castro has enough vacancies. We can't afford a huge one like the Theater, which actually has the potential to keep our other beloved local businesses afloat. It's clear APE<U+2019>s investment will evolve the 6/13/23, 11:12 AM Gmail - Homeowners / Neighbors support for APE & the Castro Theater https://mail.google.com/mail/u/2/?ik=a91b235bba&view=pt&search=all&permmsgid=msg-f:1765567537080058815&simpl=msg-f:17655675370800588 2/2 Theater so that it can serve as both a movie palace and multi-purpose entertainment space for 100 more years. We firmly believe that APE<U+2019>s investment will catapult the Castro Theater and District to a vibrant and sustainable future, and urge you to support APE's plans for restoration. Signed, 24 Hartford Street (Chris Cheng) 25 Hartford Street (Leslie Tse & Mang-Git Ng) 27 Hartford Street (Rachel Dean & Daniel Karvasales) 28 Hartford Street (Wil Shipley) 29 Hartford Street (Rishi Gupta) 31 Hartford Street (Andrea Cross) 32 Hartford Street (Laura Rubin & Martin Strauss) 33 Hartford Street (Julian & Salvo Spina) 35 Hartford Street (Deborah Bardwick) 36 Hartford Street (Matthew Parn) 40 Hartford Street (Jean-Pierre Ciudad) 42 Hartford Street (Ashianna Esmail) 44 Hartford Street (Scott Howlett) 46 Hartford Street (Roman Martinez) 45 Hartford Street (Jennifer Overholt & Greg Yachuk) 48 Hartford Street (Rob Markey & Ami Maki) 49 Hartford Street (Joshua Jenkins) 52 Hartford Street (Lindsey Husband & Kirstie McCarter) 56 Hartford Street (Liz & Ethan Diamond) 57 Hartford Street (Rev. M.D. Lahey) 60 Hartford Street (Rob Cox & Suzanne Cutts) 61 Hartford Street (Paul Hastings & Steve DeJong) 64 Hartford Street (Michael Spiegelman & Lilian Hu) 70 Hartford Street (Liz Paley) 73 Hartford Street (Sue Truth Irwin) 75 Hartford Street (Robert C. Hood) 74 Hartford Street (Andrew Witkowski & Lindsay DeVellis) 147 Hartford Street (Bruce Seidel) 173 Hartford Street (Scott Harris) 241 Hartford Street (Jan Hofwegen) 262 Hartford Street (Rachael Tauber & Angela Solleder) 4054 18th Street / Hartford @ 18th (Robin Yorkey) 3954 17th Street / Hartford @ 17th (Diane Loviglio)show more Please Reject the APE Plan to Tear Out the Interior of the Castro Theatre and Build Four Bars - Please Save the
Interior of the Castro Theatre for Our Children and Future Generations.Hello, What about the children? How will they come to the Castro Theatre if the Castro Theatre is a nightclub with four bars? I took my young niece to the Sound of Music Sing-A-Long. The evening was a highlight for her. The theatre was filled with people laughing and singing together - an event she always remembers. What about the line of parents bringing their young children on Saturday morning last year to see Bust… Hello, What about the children? How will they come to the Castro Theatre if the Castro Theatre is a nightclub with four bars? I took my young niece to the Sound of Music Sing-A-Long. The evening was a highlight for her. The theatre was filled with people laughing and singing together - an event she always remembers. What about the line of parents bringing their young children on Saturday morning last year to see Buster Keaton movies that are not available to stream on TV? How about the high school students studying animation who came to the Castro Theatre to see the first animated film, Gertie the Dinosaur, and a lecture on the beginning of animation? What will happen to the children, the high school students, and even the college students when the Castro Theatre becomes a nightclub with four bars? How will these children and young adults be able to experience the joys of the Castro Theatre? Are we teaching our children that bars and drinking take priority over arts and cultural education? Is this the lesson we want to teach our children and future generations of children? Please have the courage and the vision to save the interior of the Castro Theatre from being torn up to build multiple bars. Please save the last and most beautiful movie palace in San Francisco. Thank you, Dorrie Newton 1-[phone removed]show more Save the Castro Theatre / Protect Community InterestsAs a San Francisco resident since 1994 (the last thirteen of which I have lived in the Castro) and a regular patron of the Castro Theatre, I am deeply concerned about the future of the Castro Theatre<U+2014>a vital community resource and a beacon for film, and the LGBTQ+ community, within the City and around the world. The Castro Theatre is world famous because of its film heritage and centrality to LGBTQ+ cult… As a San Francisco resident since 1994 (the last thirteen of which I have lived in the Castro) and a regular patron of the Castro Theatre, I am deeply concerned about the future of the Castro Theatre<U+2014>a vital community resource and a beacon for film, and the LGBTQ+ community, within the City and around the world. The Castro Theatre is world famous because of its film heritage and centrality to LGBTQ+ culture, and the neighborhood and the City<U+2019>s LGBTQ+ culture are directly tied to the defining features that make it a movie palace. Sitting in those seats, we have found ourselves on screen and found each other in community. We sit next to friends; family; current, ex, and potential new lovers. This is what queer culture looks like. While LGBTQ+ rights and spaces continue to be under attack across the US and worldwide, San Francisco must take affirmative action to preserve our queer history and culture. The Castro Theatre must not be valued mainly for its ability to earn money for a corporate entity. Another Planet Entertainment (APE) has failed to show good faith. APE's current minimal programming, future plans, and especially its non-existent community engagement have and continue to jeopardize our community. APE's failure to fulfill obligations at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium speaks for itself. APE cannot be trusted to keep promises to preserve the Castro Theatre's rich history and culture over its real objective of turning a profit. Aside from important restoration and repair work, APE's proposals are not necessary to keep the Castro Theatre the vibrant, community run and curated asset it has served as for decades. On the rare occasion they have activated the theatre in the year and a half since they came into management, everything they said is not viable has been sold out. They are keeping the theatre dark and in disrepair artificially. The breadth of APEs proposals is expansive to say the least. The proposed zoning changes to this mixed commercial/residential neighborhood and change of use to the theatre itself have not been given any time for the community to understand their scope and long term effects (possible commercial changes of use, amplified sound mitigations, etc.), much less discuss. If any of these proposals are approved, conditions from the Castro LGBTQ Cultural District and allied community stakeholders must be implemented to ensure this irreplaceable San Francisco treasure is properly stewarded and that the neighborhood remains a liveable, inclusive, accessible, and diverse center of LGBTQ culture. Dear Commissions Secretary Planning, Please oppose Another Planet Entertainment<U+2019>s (APE<U+2019>s) current plans for the Castro Theatre and support conditions that would honor and protect one of our City<U+2019>s most beloved and internationally renowned landmarks. It must be protected as an LGBTQ+ cultural heritage site and gathering place for the broader community. The Castro Theatre can accommodate multi-use, vibrant programming without any of the approvals pending before the joint hearing. Please reject any alterations to the Castro Theatre that would cause needless and irreversible harm to character-defining features. I am deeply concerned that APE would violate State and local law by demolishing and excavating interior elements set forth in the updated landmark document. At a minimum, APE must bear the risk of the full cost of restoring any alterations if they abandon the theater or if their use of the theater is terminated. Under the current conditions, APE<U+2019>s plan would leave the Castro Theatre for rent to the highest bidder, with zero guarantees for broader community access. There are zero guarantees for film festivals, drag performances, LGBTQ programming, or for ongoing use of the Castro Theatre<U+2019>s beloved organ. While APE is ostensibly in the business of live music, APE<U+2019>s proposed zoning and conditional use changes would allow them to instead use it as a venue for private corporate rentals, closed off to the general public. Please support the community conditions to restore trust and protect community access at the Castro Theatre. APE could operate a successful theater with no change of use permits. If any change of use permit is approved, it must include robust conditions that ensure collaboration with existing community institutions, from children<U+2019>s art programs to architecture and queer historical societies. The community conditions would prioritize community access over private corporate rentals. They would ensure that the theater is fully activated during the day and night, including on days when APE has no current plan to use the theater. APE has divided our community. The creation of a Castro Theatre Oversight Board can help heal those wounds. This model has worked successfully at other venues managed by APE, including at the Fox Theater in Oakland, where the City of Oakland created an oversight board that regularly meets to oversee renovations, preserve access to third party arts and cultural institutions, and enhance the historic nature of the venue. The current debate over the Castro Theatre is about more than just seats. The Castro Theatre is an internationally renowned beacon of arts, culture, freedom of expression and LGBTQ+ heritage. It is a pillar of our local neighborhood. We appreciate your thoughtful consideration and support amid these unprecedented circumstances. Sincerely, Michael Mayer San Francisco, Californiashow more Save the Castro Theatre / Protect Community InterestsDear Commissioners: Please oppose Another Planet Entertainment<U+2019>s (APE<U+2019>s) current plans for the Castro Theatre and support conditions that would honor and protect one of our City<U+2019>s most beloved and internationally renowned landmarks. It is imperative to retain the seats as they are currently configured. In addition, it must be protected as an LGBTQ+ cultural heritage site and gat… Dear Commissioners: Please oppose Another Planet Entertainment<U+2019>s (APE<U+2019>s) current plans for the Castro Theatre and support conditions that would honor and protect one of our City<U+2019>s most beloved and internationally renowned landmarks. It is imperative to retain the seats as they are currently configured. In addition, it must be protected as an LGBTQ+ cultural heritage site and gathering place for the broader community. The Castro Theatre can accommodate multi-use, vibrant programming without any of the approvals pending before the joint hearing. Please reject any alterations to the Castro Theatre that would cause needless and irreversible harm to character-defining features. I am deeply concerned that APE would violate State and local law by demolishing and excavating interior elements set forth in the updated landmark document. At a minimum, APE must bear the risk of the full cost of restoring any alterations if they abandon the theater or if their use of the theater is terminated. Under the current conditions, APE<U+2019>s plan would leave the Castro Theatre for rent to the highest bidder, with zero guarantees for broader community access. There are zero guarantees for film festivals, drag performances, LGBTQ programming, or for ongoing use of the Castro Theatre<U+2019>s beloved organ. While APE is ostensibly in the business of live music, APE<U+2019>s proposed zoning and conditional use changes would allow them to instead use it as a venue for private corporate rentals, closed off to the general public. Please support the community conditions to restore trust and protect community access at the Castro Theatre. APE could operate a successful theater with no change of use permits. If any change of use permit is approved, it must include robust conditions that ensure collaboration with existing community institutions, from children<U+2019>s art programs to architecture and queer historical societies. The community conditions would prioritize community access over private corporate rentals. They would ensure that the theater is fully activated during the day and night, including on days when APE has no current plan to use the theater. APE has divided our community. The creation of a Castro Theatre Oversight Board can help heal those wounds. This model has worked successfully at other venues managed by APE, including at the Fox Theater in Oakland, where the City of Oakland created an oversight board that regularly meets to oversee renovations, preserve access to third party arts and cultural institutions, and enhance the historic nature of the venue. The current debate over the Castro Theatre is about more than just seats. The Castro Theatre is an internationally renowned beacon of arts, culture, freedom of expression and LGBTQ+ heritage. It is a pillar of our local neighborhood. We appreciate your thoughtful consideration and support amid these unprecedented circumstances. Thank you. David Landis, 2032 Scott St., SF, CA 94115 [email removed] [phone removed] Dear Commissions Secretary Planning, Please oppose Another Planet Entertainment<U+2019>s (APE<U+2019>s) current plans for the Castro Theatre and support conditions that would honor and protect one of our City<U+2019>s most beloved and internationally renowned landmarks. It must be protected as an LGBTQ+ cultural heritage site and gathering place for the broader community. The Castro Theatre can accommodate multi-use, vibrant programming without any of the approvals pending before the joint hearing. Please reject any alterations to the Castro Theatre that would cause needless and irreversible harm to character-defining features. I am deeply concerned that APE would violate State and local law by demolishing and excavating interior elements set forth in the updated landmark document. At a minimum, APE must bear the risk of the full cost of restoring any alterations if they abandon the theater or if their use of the theater is terminated. Under the current conditions, APE<U+2019>s plan would leave the Castro Theatre for rent to the highest bidder, with zero guarantees for broader community access. There are zero guarantees for film festivals, drag performances, LGBTQ programming, or for ongoing use of the Castro Theatre<U+2019>s beloved organ. While APE is ostensibly in the business of live music, APE<U+2019>s proposed zoning and conditional use changes would allow them to instead use it as a venue for private corporate rentals, closed off to the general public. Please support the community conditions to restore trust and protect community access at the Castro Theatre. APE could operate a successful theater with no change of use permits. If any change of use permit is approved, it must include robust conditions that ensure collaboration with existing community institutions, from children<U+2019>s art programs to architecture and queer historical societies. The community conditions would prioritize community access over private corporate rentals. They would ensure that the theater is fully activated during the day and night, including on days when APE has no current plan to use the theater. APE has divided our community. The creation of a Castro Theatre Oversight Board can help heal those wounds. This model has worked successfully at other venues managed by APE, including at the Fox Theater in Oakland, where the City of Oakland created an oversight board that regularly meets to oversee renovations, preserve access to third party arts and cultural institutions, and enhance the historic nature of the venue. The current debate over the Castro Theatre is about more than just seats. The Castro Theatre is an internationally renowned beacon of arts, culture, freedom of expression and LGBTQ+ heritage. It is a pillar of our local neighborhood. We appreciate your thoughtful consideration and support amid these unprecedented circumstances. Sincerely, David Landis San Francisco, Californiashow more Hello from music critic and Castro resident Barry WaltersHello Commissioners, My name is Barry Walters. In 1988, I moved from NYC to SF to write about music, film, and LGBTQ culture for the San Francisco Examiner when it was a Hearst paper. Prior to that, I attended NYU's graduate program for Cinema Studies and started my career nearly 40 years ago at the Village Voice. I was Senior Critic at Rolling Stone for many years, wrote cover stories on Madonna and R.E.M. fo… Hello Commissioners, My name is Barry Walters. In 1988, I moved from NYC to SF to write about music, film, and LGBTQ culture for the San Francisco Examiner when it was a Hearst paper. Prior to that, I attended NYU's graduate program for Cinema Studies and started my career nearly 40 years ago at the Village Voice. I was Senior Critic at Rolling Stone for many years, wrote cover stories on Madonna and R.E.M. for Spin, and have since contributed to countless media outlets like NPR, Pitchfork, the Los Angeles Times, the Advocate, and Out. In 1992 I became the first critic awarded by the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association. Recently I won a Clio Award for my Amazon Music documentary short <U+201C>Sylvester: Love Me Like You Should,<U+201D> and I<U+2019>ve nearly completed my book for Penguin, Mighty Real: The Music That Built LGBTQ America. I<U+2019>m writing you about the Castro Theatre. I<U+2019>ve lived literally around the corner from it for over 30 years. It<U+2019>s where I proposed to my husband on the day when same-sex marriage was legalized, and it<U+2019>s where I packed nearly every seat with my presentation <U+201C>Barry Walters<U+2019> Fabulous World of Queer Pop Video.<U+201D> The ashes of my late friend and mentor Vito Russo <U+2013> the pioneering gay/AIDS activist and author of The Celluloid Closet - were scattered there. I<U+2019>m not a religious guy, but like many LGBTQ people and film fans of every stripe, I consider it a sacred place. Maybe it<U+2019>s an exaggeration to say that the Castro is to queer people what the Apollo is to Black people, but not by much. When I came to SF, I<U+2019>d experienced NYC standards for everything, so I was hard to impress. I<U+2019>d seen all the great bands of the Eighties at all the right venues, and I when I wasn<U+2019>t enjoying live music, I gave myself a film education at every movie palace and film festival New York had to offer. AIDS was just beginning to take its toll on our community, but the excitement generated by Frameline at the Castro was unlike anything I<U+2019>d ever experienced. People would cheer the heroes, boo the villains, and you could feel a truly spiritual sense of connectivity. Audiences over the last few years aren<U+2019>t quite as demonstrative, but I still feel that collective buzz each time I<U+2019>m there, whether I<U+2019>m seeing films presented by the Jewish Film Festival, the Silent Film Festival, Noir, Asian, German, etc. The Castro allows people of different communities to see themselves reflected on the screen surrounded by their own. As queer people, we struggle with isolation and alienation, but movies at the Castro allow mainstream and minority audiences alike to have a shared dream because the venue is built for exactly that. Recently I saw Past Lives at the Castro as part of SFFILM. It<U+2019>s a Korean-American story, and so the audience was largely Asian, and every seat was filled. The energy of nearly 1500 people in that room allowed me to get as close as a white guy can to seeing the film through an Asian perspective. That<U+2019>s not something I could experience at home, or even at the Kabuki, where the experience <U+2013> although in Japantown <U+2013> is compromised by an onslaught of commercials, trailers, and corporate presence. There is a huge difference between experiencing art in a space that makes you feel as though it belongs to your community versus a place where the bottom line is profit. Speaking from someone who has spent much of his life in music venues, I can tell you that the Castro will need a huge amount of work and money to make it acoustically acceptable. It<U+2019>s echoey and cavernous. Loud amplified music doesn<U+2019>t sound good there <U+2013> I know because I<U+2019>ve walked out of a few Castro music events. I would be thrilled if Another Planet Entertainment made sonic improvements while maintaining the seats as they are, but they<U+2019>re insisting on removing the orchestra seats and replacing them with stackable chairs. Chairs with hard metal armrests simply aren<U+2019>t conducive to the kind of movie experience that allows you to mentally leave your body and surrender to the screen for two hours. If APE does do everything it says it will, the result will be something like the Fox in Oakland, which is nice <U+2013> but it<U+2019>s not what the Castro has been for film world for over 100 years. It<U+2019>s the most beautiful man-made structure in my neighborhood, and it brings joy to those who live far beyond it. For the last 35 years I have watched filmmakers stand on the Castro stage and talk about how seeing their film there is unlike anywhere else. This sense of home is heightened for LGBTQ artists, but I<U+2019>ve witnessed straight directors <U+2013> some of the greatest living ones, like Paul Thomas Anderson <U+2013> say the same thing. There is nowhere like the Castro. For years people believed that consumers would stop buying physical media of any kind, yet bookstores and record stores are rebounding: Last year for the first time since the late Eighties, vinyl records generated more revenue than CDs. A few weeks ago, I was flown by the BBC to appear in a documentary series filmed at a Los Angeles bar that follows a Japanese trend of venues where people drink and listen exclusively to vinyl on a high-end audiophile system. Who 20 years ago would<U+2019>ve predicted this? I can<U+2019>t prove that movie attendance will go back to what it was before streaming. But I can tell you that already there<U+2019>s a trend to see movies on 70mm film that parallels why some people prefer analogue audio reproduction over digital. The Castro is one of the only places in town still with 70mm projection, but that won<U+2019>t matter if you<U+2019>re stuck in an uncomfortable chair. I<U+2019>ve taken time away from my book to write this letter because I want you to seriously consider these issues before this week<U+2019>s vote. Because music is even more important to me than movies, I<U+2019>d be all for a seated music venue that also serves the film and LGBTQ communities, but nothing I<U+2019>ve read about APE<U+2019>s plans gives me the confidence that they truly intend to do this. I<U+2019>d be happy to talk with you: My number is [phone removed]. Sincerely, Barry Walters 3969A 17th Street San Francisco, CA 94114show more Andrew Junius · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Project sponsor presentation
Scott Johnson · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Positive economic impact on its current state
Brett Thomas · spoken · 2023-06-15 · oppose
Concert venue, business plan
Melanie Roller · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Have movies still shown in the theatre
Donna Sachet · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Change will be made but also preservation
Erin Reynolds · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Supports the restoration for current and future generations
Andrea Aiello · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Improved and restored historic landmark to be proud of, will bring full ADA accessibility
David Kim · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Supports the revitalization of the neighborhood
Terry Asten Bennett · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Creates vitality, small business
Andy Myerson · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Queer art
Steve Murphy · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Will bring more relevant events, younger generations
Mike Murray · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Multi-use Castro Theatre
Lee Hepner · spoken · 2023-06-15 · oppose
Community divided, impose conditions
Lindsay Husband · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Will revitalize the neighborhood
Richard Kurylo · spoken · 2023-06-15 · oppose
Do not allow the removal of ground floor seats
Allan Burradell · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Approve it today
Bonnie McGregor · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Step in the revitalization of the Castro
Steven Torres · spoken · 2023-06-15 · oppose
Nightlife impacts, need adequate outreach
Mike Chen · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Pivot into the future San Francisco Planning and Historic Preservation Commissions Thursday, June 15, 2023
Sue Englander · spoken · 2023-06-15 · oppose
Preserving the essence of a movie palace, gentrification
Roska Gonzalez · spoken · 2023-06-15 · oppose
Felt threatened, movie cost
Zack Taylor · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Decline of the neighborhood, renovation is crucial
Tab Buckner · spoken · 2023-06-15 · oppose
Character of the neighborhood, very sacred space
Carolyn Kiernat · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Project sponsor presentation
Chris Wasney · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Project sponsor design presentation
Dan Serot · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Project sponsor presentation
Jen Reck · spoken · 2023-06-15 · oppose
Organized opposition
Shane Watson · spoken · 2023-06-15 · oppose
Organized opposition
Peter Pastreich · spoken · 2023-06-15 · oppose
Organized opposition
Andrew Bennett · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
People are at risk of losing jobs, we need this to survive
Audrey Joseph · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Times have changed, keep this icon as a productive venue
Joanne Desmond · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Will provide valuable jobs
Jessica Dillon · spoken · 2023-06-15 · oppose
Preservation
Sam Petersen · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
The city and the neighborhood need it
Dawn Ross Golding · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
APE is poised financially to revitalize the theatre
Pete Nyberg · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Viable plan
Bill Banning · spoken · 2023-06-15 · oppose
Only standing theatre of its kind
Dillon McDevin · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Preserve as a theatre
Casey McKerchie · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
City is losing businesses
Patrick Riley · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Impacts to small business, increase foot traffic
Terry Beswick · spoken · 2023-06-15 · oppose
Economic benefits, capacity will not be increased
Jeffrey Kwong · spoken · 2023-06-15 · oppose
Concerns about being only open for 175 days per year
Em Rocket · spoken · 2023-06-15 · oppose
Corporate takeover of a community space, church
John Warner · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Challenges of operating San Francisco Planning and Historic Preservation Commissions Thursday, June 15, 2023
Rob Markey · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Will foster a thriving local economy
John Jensen · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Seats
Josh Barnaby · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Will be great for the neighborhood and merchants
Save the Castro Theatre / Protect Community InterestsI have lost all faith in Another Planet Entertainment and their ability to save and appropriately program this exceptional landmark. Please support the small mom-and-pop operations, non- profit businesses, and arts communities by restricting the horrific and irreversible "Remodel" that APE wishes to carry out. As a film preservationist, my day-to-day job also requires difficult decisions about how to best p… I have lost all faith in Another Planet Entertainment and their ability to save and appropriately program this exceptional landmark. Please support the small mom-and-pop operations, non- profit businesses, and arts communities by restricting the horrific and irreversible "Remodel" that APE wishes to carry out. As a film preservationist, my day-to-day job also requires difficult decisions about how to best proceed with rescuing a historical artifact. I believe that we can bring the Castro Theatre out of the APE ashes and support a community-based plan such as the one submitted by the Castro Theatre Conservancy. I hope you will side with the thousands of letters, filmmakers, LGBT Historical Society, Harvey Milk Club, film festivals, and students who have supported this theatre for the last 100 years. I feel that Raphael Mandleman has sold his soul by siding with a for-profit corporation that only knows concerts. Please SAVE THE CASTRO! Thank you for your valuable time. I echo every word of the following: Please oppose Another Planet Entertainment<U+2019>s (APE<U+2019>s) current plans for the Castro Theatre and support conditions that would honor and protect one of our City<U+2019>s most beloved and internationally renowned landmarks. It must be protected as an LGBTQ+ cultural heritage site and gathering place for the broader community. The Castro Theatre can accommodate multi-use, vibrant programming without any of the approvals pending before the joint hearing. Please reject any alterations to the Castro Theatre that would cause needless and irreversible harm to character-defining features. I am deeply concerned that APE would violate State and local law by demolishing and excavating interior elements set forth in the updated landmark document. At a minimum, APE must bear the risk of the full cost of restoring any alterations if they abandon the theater or if their use of the theater is terminated. Under the current conditions, APE<U+2019>s plan would leave the Castro Theatre for rent to the highest bidder, with zero guarantees for broader community access. There are zero guarantees for film festivals, drag performances, LGBTQ programming, or for ongoing use of the Castro Theatre<U+2019>s beloved organ. While APE is ostensibly in the business of live music, APE<U+2019>s proposed zoning and conditional use changes would allow them to instead use it as a venue for private corporate rentals, closed off to the general public. Please support the community conditions to restore trust and protect community access at the Castro Theatre. APE could operate a successful theater with no change of use permits. If any change of use permit is approved, it must include robust conditions that ensure collaboration with existing community institutions, from children<U+2019>s art programs to architecture and queer historical societies. The community conditions would prioritize community access over private corporate rentals. They would ensure that the theater is fully activated during the day and night, including on days when APE has no current plan to use the theater. APE has divided our community. The creation of a Castro Theatre Oversight Board can help heal those wounds. This model has worked successfully at other venues managed by APE, including at the Fox Theater in Oakland, where the City of Oakland created an oversight board that regularly meets to oversee renovations, preserve access to third party arts and cultural institutions, and enhance the historic nature of the venue. The current debate over the Castro Theatre is about more than just seats. The Castro Theatre is an internationally renowned beacon of arts, culture, freedom of expression and LGBTQ+ heritage. It is a pillar of our local neighborhood. We appreciate your thoughtful consideration and support amid these unprecedented circumstances. Sincerely, Anne Smatla Dear Commissions Secretary Planning, Please oppose Another Planet Entertainment<U+2019>s (APE<U+2019>s) current plans for the Castro Theatre and support conditions that would honor and protect one of our City<U+2019>s most beloved and internationally renowned landmarks. It must be protected as an LGBTQ+ cultural heritage site and gathering place for the broader community. The Castro Theatre can accommodate multi-use, vibrant programming without any of the approvals pending before the joint hearing. Please reject any alterations to the Castro Theatre that would cause needless and irreversible harm to character-defining features. I am deeply concerned that APE would violate State and local law by demolishing and excavating interior elements set forth in the updated landmark document. At a minimum, APE must bear the risk of the full cost of restoring any alterations if they abandon the theater or if their use of the theater is terminated. Under the current conditions, APE<U+2019>s plan would leave the Castro Theatre for rent to the highest bidder, with zero guarantees for broader community access. There are zero guarantees for film festivals, drag performances, LGBTQ programming, or for ongoing use of the Castro Theatre<U+2019>s beloved organ. While APE is ostensibly in the business of live music, APE<U+2019>s proposed zoning and conditional use changes would allow them to instead use it as a venue for private corporate rentals, closed off to the general public. Please support the community conditions to restore trust and protect community access at the Castro Theatre. APE could operate a successful theater with no change of use permits. If any change of use permit is approved, it must include robust conditions that ensure collaboration with existing community institutions, from children<U+2019>s art programs to architecture and queer historical societies. The community conditions would prioritize community access over private corporate rentals. They would ensure that the theater is fully activated during the day and night, including on days when APE has no current plan to use the theater. APE has divided our community. The creation of a Castro Theatre Oversight Board can help heal those wounds. This model has worked successfully at other venues managed by APE, including at the Fox Theater in Oakland, where the City of Oakland created an oversight board that regularly meets to oversee renovations, preserve access to third party arts and cultural institutions, and enhance the historic nature of the venue. The current debate over the Castro Theatre is about more than just seats. The Castro Theatre is an internationally renowned beacon of arts, culture, freedom of expression and LGBTQ+ heritage. It is a pillar of our local neighborhood. We appreciate your thoughtful consideration and support amid these unprecedented circumstances. Sincerely, Anne Smatla Movette Film Transfer Film Preservation Specialist Oakland, Californiashow more Lynn Rosaro · spoken · 2023-06-15 · oppose
Too much, find a common ground
John Lo · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Support all the merchants and residents in the neighborhood
Louis Border · spoken · 2023-06-15 · oppose
A nightclub is not a movie palace
Alex Torres · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Challenges in the city, project sponsor is bay area based
Ryan Gleason · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Foot traffic in the neighborhood, seats uncomfortable
Fred Lopez · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Larger events will bring more people
John Delaplane · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
APE has a plan
Brendan McDonald · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Set up for future success for the city
Jack Edsen · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Do not waste any more time and approve
Dave Rogers · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Support
Mark Taylor · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Potential is there, seats not comfortable
Mike Sullivan · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Theatre desperately needs revitalization
Ray Connolly · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Believes in the future of the Castro
Michael Petrelis · spoken · 2023-06-15 · oppose
Time for accountability
Mike Murphy · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Restore the theatre
Wyatt Robertson · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Revitalize the Castro theatre
James Curtis Smoot · spoken · 2023-06-15 · oppose
Cultural significance of the theatre
Drew Taylor · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Revitalize the Castro theatre
Omar Rodriguez · spoken · 2023-06-15 · oppose
Keep as a movie theatre
Charles Salter · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Noise study
Desmond Morgan · spoken · 2023-06-15 · support
Updating the seats not removing it