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Perris seeks options for downtown Paris Theatre: council asks for flexible multiuse designs, cost estimates
Summary
Design firm OXA Architecture presented four scenarios for restoring or reimagining the downtown Paris Theatre. Councilmembers generally favored preserving the marquee and blade sign while seeking a flexible, multiuse, ADA‑compliant space and asked for cost estimates and concepts to return June 10.
City staff and OXA Architecture presented four design scenarios for renovating the downtown Paris Theatre and asked the council for feedback on program, scale and preservation. The project team said it is studying restoration, small and large expansions and a new theater option and has surveyed comparable theaters and community use patterns to size a viable venue for Perris.
Brian Wickersham of OXA Architecture summarized the firm’s work, saying the building dates to the 1940s and is in “a pretty bad state of disrepair” inside though not beyond repair structurally. The study includes a parking analysis, adjacencies and a 50‑mile market scan of nearby theaters. Wickersham said most comparable theaters average about 570 seats and the team is considering both current and long‑term demand when proposing capacities and program elements.
Councilmembers emphasized a desire for a flexible, multiuse venue. Councilmember Corona said he favored retaining the iconic exterior signage — “the blade sign in the marquee is so iconic” — while allowing more modern interior construction and accessibility upgrades. He suggested a sloped seating solution that could be converted to flat floor for rentals and events (weddings, quinceañeras, concerts) and said he would prefer preserving identifying elements rather than spending excessive funds to retain all historical fabric.
Mayor Pro Tem Rapp and other members recommended pursuing options that balance historical character and modern needs. Councilmember Vallejo asked about collapsible seating, support spaces (kitchen/food service), and the parking implications; staff said a parking study and cost estimates for the four schemes will be included in the next presentation. Participants also raised likely environmental and hazardous‑materials issues; staff recommended a Phase I environmental review as a next step.
Wickersham said the team will work with a cost estimator (Gardner & Theobald) and present four cost estimates for the schemes. He noted the Temecula and Fontana theater precedents, with renovation costs used to gauge potential ranges and economic performance.
Council direction: staff will return with concept designs and cost ranges at the June 10 meeting, and the project team will pursue community outreach, parking analysis and hazardous‑materials screening as part of the next phase.
