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Council says staff will negotiate long-term lease to keep Black Repertory Theater in Berkeley
Summary
Speakers said the Black Repertory Theater has not received promised funds; the city manager reported the city attorney and public-works staff are drafting a lease proposal and will share a draft with the theater this week to advance long-term negotiations.
Several community members told the council the Black Repertory Theater has gone unpaid on a longstanding obligation and urged urgent action to secure the company's future. Pastor Derek recounted prior assurances and asked the council to honor the city's commitments; other commenters said the theater provides essential programming and requested timely resolution of property and funding issues.
City Manager Paul Boonaig said the city's attorneys and public-works staff have been in contact with the theater's attorneys and are preparing a draft lease based on council direction. "The city's attorney office has been in touch with the attorney's office representing the black rep and the staff from public works with the city attorney's office is putting together a draft document for review of your team based on the authority that the city council has given us, and that draft will be shared with you all this week," he said. The council indicated its intention to continue negotiations in executive session and to keep the theater's interests as a priority.
