By Jorge Casuso, Santa Monica Lookout, July 24, 2024, reprinted
July 24, 2024 -- The City Council on Tuesday quietly took a major step in its efforts to resurrect the iconic Civic Auditorium, an endangered building that has been shuttered since 2011.
Civic Auditorium, 1958
The Council voted, with no discussion and as part of a consent calendar roll-call vote, to approve an Exclusive Negotiation Agreement (ENA) with Revitalization Partners Group, LLC (RPG) to restore and operate the local landmark.
The group -- which came together to submit a proposal for the 66-year-old site -- is composed of "experts in live entertainment, real estate development, finance, historic preservation and public-private partnerships," City officials said.
“This is an impressive group of experts coming together to make something happen,” Mayor Phil Brock said in a statement Wednesday. “I look forward to seeing what they propose and, hopefully, a bright future for this iconic venue.”
Tuesday's unanimous vote came after proposals submitted by the School District and Community Corporation last year fell through under the State's surplus land, which prioritizes the site for affordable housing, schools, parks and recreation.In November, State officials freed the City to negotiate the purchase or lease of the Civic Auditorium with any interested party ("City Free to Negotiate Civic Sale with Commercial Developers," November 22, 2023).
The following month, the Council voted to request letters of interest from individuals or entities with experience to operate the facility -- which once hosted legendary rock concerts and the Academy Awards -- "as a thriving entertainment and cultural arts venue."
The City noted it would maintain ownership of the Civic Auditorium and would consider entering into a long-term lease ("Efforts to Restore The Civic Enter New Phase," December 8, 2023).
Four letters of interest were submitted, staff said in a report to the Council. Two respondents -- The Venue Group/TVG and Live Nation -- withdrew their letters, and Live Nation joined the RPG team.
On May 28, the Council considered the Letters of Interest and directed staff to initiate the process to negotiate an exclusive agreement with RPG.
The consortium of experts that compose the group include the following:
Geyser Holdings, which has more than 20 years of experience in estate acquisition, financing and investment banking and is affiliated with JH Snyder Company, whose major developments include Santa Monica Ocean Tower and The Water Gardens.
The Azoff Company, an entertainment and media company led by Irving Azoff, the former head of Ticketmaster, Live Nation and the Azoff Madison Square Garden Entertainment Company. Azoff, who represents major music stars, was the personal manager of the legendary rock band the Eagles, who often performed and recorded at the Civic.
The Make Good Group, a sustainability, social responsibility, pop culture and brand strategy corporate consulting firm whose clients have included the Philadelphia Eagles, Motion Picture & Television Fund, Los Angeles Chargers and California Proposition 28: Arts & Music in Schools Funding Act.
The Oak View Group, a privately held venue development, management and hospitality services company that entered into an $850 million partnership with the City of Seattle to develop and operate Amazon’s Climate Pledge Arena, the most sustainable arena in the world. The company is led by Tim Lieweke, the former CEO of AEG, where he developed and oversaw LA Live, Staples Center, Los Angeles Kings and the LA Galaxy.
Live Nation, the world’s largest live entertainment company, which promotes and manages ticket sales for live entertainment and concerts globally and provides management, business marketing and consulting to artists and venues.
As part of the exclusive negotiating agreement process, RPG "will perform studies and analysis related to historic preservation, seismic and structural engineering, ADA compliance, acoustics, and other areas to evaluate remediation, construction costs and other considerations," according to City staff.
"RPG has agreed to pay the city an initial $350,000 to cover the city’s staff, consultant and legal costs, to be replenished if necessary," City officials said.
The firm is expected to submit a comprehensive project scope and time frame for council consideration by early 2025.
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