Committee Endorses Lease for Teatro de Las Americas, Seeks Monthly Activity Reports
Loading...
Summary
The Oxnard committee voted 2-1 to recommend a three-year lease (with two one-year options) for Teatro de Las Americas at a nominal $1 annual fee and conditional revenue share; the committee added a requirement that the theater provide monthly activity and fundraising reports to staff and council.
The Oxnard City Community Services, Public Safety, Housing and Economic Development Committee voted to recommend a lease agreement allowing Teatro de Las Americas to occupy city property at 321 West 6th Street for three years with two one-year extension options. The staff-recommended terms include a nominal $1 annual base fee and a quarterly rent equal to up to 2.97% of quarterly gross revenues exceeding a $10,560 quarterly threshold, and forgiveness of past-due rent through January 2026 totaling $15,690, plus a daily pro rata share through February 2026.
The committee heard more than an hour of public testimony from residents, arts leaders and Teatro representatives who described the theater as a long-standing cultural anchor that serves Spanish-speaking families and provides youth programming. "Teatro de Las Americas is the only Spanish-language–emphasis theater between Salinas and Los Angeles," said James Dunland, who noted the organization's film festival and youth offerings.
Anna Van Hoven, who identified herself as the theater's executive director, told the committee that "Teatro is more than a theater. It is a cultural home where generations come together" and asked that the city support the lease to provide stability for bilingual arts and youth programs. Juan Gonzalez, president of the theater's board, described volunteer efforts and low program fees for youth, saying the group had raised limited funds after COVID and relied on grants.
Brenda Lopez, the city's housing director, explained the rent formula and how staff derived the revenue threshold. Lopez said staff averaged Teatro's highest gross-revenue years (2022 and 2024) to compute an approximate monthly gross figure; based on that analysis, the draft agreement calls for Teatro to pay the fractional rent only in quarters when gross revenue exceeds the threshold.
Councilmember Perallo proposed an alternative tiered-rent plan that would have started at $300 per month in year one, rising to $600 and $900 in subsequent years, citing concerns about treating one nonprofit differently from others that might seek similar concessions. That proposal was made as a motion but failed for lack of a second. Chair MacArthur then moved to approve the staff recommendation while requesting monthly activity and fundraising reports from Teatro; that motion was seconded and passed on a committee vote, 2-1.
The committee's action is a recommendation to the full City Council. If the council approves the measure, the lease will require Teatro to maintain the building and cover major improvements; staff said occupancy reduces the city's costs and liability from vacant, vandalized properties. Teatro supporters said the lease would help preserve a bilingual arts venue and support downtown revitalization, while opponents cautioned about the fiscal precedent of steep concessions.
The committee did not finalize the lease document at the meeting; it forwarded the item with the staff-recommended terms and the added reporting requirement for further action at the council level.
