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Council backs capital campaign as Royal Theatre redesign seeks to close funding gap
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Summary
City officials reviewed a redesigned plan for the Royal Theatre, heard that an initial $14.3 million bid was reduced by redesign and that the city currently has $10.5 million available; council approved formation of a community capital campaign committee and appointed Councilmember Whitney Furness to the committee.
The City Council of Guadalupe on Jan. 14 agreed to move forward with a community-led capital campaign to help close a funding gap for the Royal Theatre renovation after the project team reported a redesign and ongoing grant work.
Tom Bradbury, project representative, told the council the project team is at about 50% design and expects a revised construction cost estimate within a week. Bradbury said the city currently has about $10.5 million available for the project and that earlier bid pricing had come in at about $14.3 million, prompting a redesign to reduce costs. “We are looking at some other options to increase that funding amount that we have now,” Bradbury said during the presentation.
The council heard that the city has applied to the Office of Historic Preservation for the California Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program; Bradbury said the application passed an initial review and will move to the next state committee for further review, with a potential award in the roughly $900,000 range if approved. Bradbury said many of the city—s current grant sources cover construction costs but do not pay for six months of initial operating expenses or for some desirable "alternatives" and equipment that would be needed once the theater opens.
Why it matters: The Royal Theatre is a long-running local redevelopment priority and the council and community have been seeking a renovation option that fits the city—s budget while preserving historic features. Council members and residents emphasized both fiscal caution and urgency to move the project into construction before grant timelines and other deadlines.
Key council action: The council authorized the concept of launching a capital campaign guided by a volunteer community committee. The city will publicize an open call for committee members and the council will appoint the committee from that pool. Councilmember Whitney Furness was nominated and confirmed as the council representative on the campaign committee by a unanimous voice vote.
What the campaign will do: Bradbury said a capital campaign could raise funds for items not covered by construction grants (for example, initial operating reserves, specialized audio/visual equipment and other post-construction needs). He described the campaign as a separate fundraising effort that would be guided by a committee of local volunteers and come back to the council for approval of committee membership and campaign details.
Timing and next steps: The design team expects the revised cost estimate in roughly a week; Bradbury said the project has flexibility on its start date but a firm completion deadline linked to project funding (the Economic Development Administration funding requires an end date to be honored). Bradbury said he will assemble and circulate a list of community members who volunteer to serve on the campaign committee; the council will select committee members from that list. Bradbury also said he will post the construction-cost breakdown to the Royal Theatre Renovation Facebook page once the estimate is available.
Community reaction and oversight: Residents and local business association members supported a diverse, community-driven fundraising effort. Several speakers urged transparency in committee selection and suggested including local fundraisers and donors. Councilmembers said they want the committee to include a range of perspectives and to be accountable to the council for campaign plans.
Credits and background: The city reported prior work to redesign the project to reduce cost and that the project team continues to pursue multiple grants. The council emphasized that construction estimates and final grant outcomes will determine the size and scope of the campaign needed.
Ending: The council—s decision to authorize a capital campaign and appoint Furness as the council—s representative aims to accelerate fundraising while the design team finishes a revised cost estimate, which the city said will inform any formal budgeting or bond decisions going forward.
