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Council approves five‑year Greek Theatre lease extension amid objections about bypassing an open RFP
Summary
Council approved a five‑year extension of the Netherlander Greek Theatre lease approving $5 million in capital work and a living‑wage provision, drawing objections from residents and some council members who urged a competitive RFP; council approved special and regular meeting steps by narrow margins.
Los Angeles — After heated public comment and legal warnings about the city charter’s competitive‑bidding rules, the Los Angeles City Council voted Dec. 8 to approve a five‑year extension to the Netherlander Greek Theatre lease that includes capital improvements and a living‑wage provision for on‑site workers.
Opponents told the council the extension short‑circuited a ready RFP and may violate charter section 387, which governs unsolicited proposals and competitive procurement. “If you vote to pass this today I sincerely hope for all of Los Angeles that you have already worked out enough in the way of mitigation that you have protected the city,” Councilwoman Walters said during debate.
Supporters and theater advisory members said the extension will accelerate urgent work — restrooms, dressing rooms, a restored 1930 facade and accessibility improvements — in time for the theater’s 70th anniversary. “If we move forward today and approve the lease extension, badly needed capital improvements, renovations and restorations will be fully funded and be in place next season,” Council President Ferraro told colleagues.
Labor groups and some neighborhood advocates supported the extension because it included earlier living‑wage pay and job protections for about 300 workers who staff concessions and stage operations. “The extension would grant over 300 workers the opportunity to receive the living wage now and not have to wait,” a labor representative said.
The council first treated the item as a special meeting matter (to allow environmental and charter procedure findings) and then approved the amended and restated lease after debate. Votes on the special meeting and the subsequent item were recorded in the minutes as passed (special meeting 8–5; item final vote recorded as 9–4 on the second tally shown in minutes).
What it means: The theater owner gains a five‑year extension and will commit capital funding and wage increases; opponents argued the city should have run an open RFP to test market offers and potential revenue increases. City attorneys and recreation staff said findings were made to allow the unsolicited extension under narrow legal standards; opponents signaled possible litigation.
Next steps: Staff will finalize the amendments and begin work on the capital improvements and monitoring commitments required by the lease.
