Park Theatre Trust outlines restoration plan and fundraising progress as renovation readies for permits

The Park Theatre Trust told the Lafayette City Council on April 14 that it has raised roughly $10.5 million toward a community-led effort to buy and renovate the downtown Park Theatre and is targeting a late‑2026 reopening, with work expected to start as early as September pending building permits.

The trust’s chief financial officer, Tracy Farrell, told council members the organization had raised $1,803,200 in pledges in 2024 and that “over $10,500,000 has now been raised towards the park effort, but we still have about 2,000,000 to go.” Farrell said funding has come from individuals, foundations, businesses, the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and the Community Foundation of Lafayette, and that much of the remaining need will be met through donations or affordable financing if needed.

Farrell said pro bono and in‑kind support has been critical, listing local Rotary groups, Eagle Scout volunteers and local businesses that have helped salvage seats, lighting and fixtures for reuse. “The Park Theatre Trust has no investors in this project, and our hope is to fund the project entirely from community donations,” she said.

Architect Adam (last name not provided) displayed preliminary plans showing the theater expanded by roughly 20–22 feet to accommodate two auditoriums, a community room and a rooftop terrace with a small bar. He described a layout with a larger auditorium and a smaller 49‑seat theater, ground‑floor concessions and a community room above, and a roof terrace designed to hold about 49 people and include solar panels.

“The main move is that we’re extending the back of the building about 22 feet,” the architect said, explaining that the addition converts the single‑screen house into two screens plus community space. Plans call for restoration of the front Art Deco facade, a restored ticket booth, new bronze entry doors and a revitalized marquee with neon restoration handled by experienced Bay Area craftsmen.

Council members and the trust discussed operations and affordability. Farrell said the trust has selected Cinema SF as the prospective operator and that the operator’s programming model — including dollar nights, fundraising and reduced‑price events — informed the feasibility model. “One of the reasons the model has a commercial kitchen is that our research showed that the concessions bring in close to 60% of revenue to a theater,” Farrell said, adding that concession revenue gives operators more latitude on ticket prices.

A representative from the NorCal Carpenters Union asked whether the project would include labor standards; the trust said it is in the process of selecting a general contractor and will provide more detail about labor standards as the contractor selection proceeds.

Farrell said hazardous materials abatement has begun and that construction drawings are with the fire, environmental health and other county offices; the trust expects to file for permits by May 1. “Final plans, hopefully with the required stamps, are on track to be at the county offices by May 1. Once reviewed and approved, with building permit in hand, we will begin the renovation,” Farrell said.

Council members praised the volunteer fundraising and community support and said they looked forward to continued coordination with city staff during permit review. No formal council action was taken at the meeting; the presentation was provided as an informational update and to invite council questions and public comment.

The Park Theatre Trust presentation included brief public comment from multiple residents who described personal memories and asked about ticket pricing and program access for seniors and youth. Trust leaders said operator programming and concessions revenue should enable a range of ticket prices and community uses, and councilmembers noted the trust’s offers to make some theater time available to city commissions or community groups at low or no cost.

If building permits are issued on schedule, the trust anticipates starting construction in late summer or early fall 2025, with a public reopening goal in late 2026.