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Commission directs manager to negotiate Con Foster lease with Parkway Theatre
Summary
After reviewing proposals, the commission asked the city manager to enter negotiations with Parkway Theatre for the Con Foster (Bijou) building and to return a negotiated lease addressing financial feasibility, subletting parameters and alignment with Parks & Rec principles.
The City Commission on May 4 directed the city manager to negotiate a lease with Parkway Theatre for the Con Foster building (the Bijou) after staff recommended the Parkway proposal over a Paper Birch proposal that staff said raised concerns about age restrictions and subscription fees.
City Manager Benjamin said Parkway’s proposal better matched the Parks and Recreation Commission’s vision for a flexible, multiuse gathering space and emphasized potential for year-round, all-ages programming. Commissioners instructed the manager to include provisions addressing financial feasibility, the for-profit structure, subletting parameters and alignment with Parks and Rec principles; any final lease would return to the commission for approval.
Public comment included multiple expressions of support from business owners, arts organizers and residents who said Parkway Theatre could provide year-round programming, youth opportunities and accessible performance space. Proponents argued the project would reactivate a historic building and add cultural and economic activity downtown.
Manager Benjamin noted that staff would complete due diligence on Parkway’s financial feasibility and that any negotiated agreement could require conditions to secure public access and year-round programming. The commission voted to direct the manager to negotiate the lease; the motion passed without recorded opposition.
