Volunteers Excited About Novato Theater Sneak Preview

Elayne Miller has lived in Novato 35 years and does not recall ever going to the before it closed 20 years ago. She’s different from many of the volunteers working to reopen the theater – people who have vivid memories of going to the movies on Grant Avenue. But Miller said she’s more inspired about the younger folks who, like her, have never had a chance to enjoy a show at the theater.

“I’ve done a lot of volunteer work in the past one or two years and met a lot of people of all ages and from all walks of life,” Miller said. “The one thing I heard from people in that 20-30-year-old age group was the question of why we couldn’t get that theater back open.”

Miller is one of the volunteers working hard to get the old theater renovated and reopened. She is one of many preparing for a at that promises to be a Really Big Show — one that will be critical from a fundraising standpoint as a city-imposed deadline looms.

The group needs to secure $750,000 in pledges by June 1 in order to close a $50,000 purchase deal on the theater, which has been shuttered since 1991. Organizers say they are about halfway to that goal, but there’s only about a month left to drum up that support. Miller is one who put her money where her mouth is and cut a check (she’d rather not reveal the amount).

“You have to take in to consideration that it’s really tough times right now,” she said. “But we’re getting close. So many people would like to see it open again. You can’t help but get excited about it.”

Bernice Baeza, the Lark Theater executive director who is spearheading the campaign to revamp the run-down theater at 924 Grant Ave. and reopen it for film, performing arts and other events. Her group of volunteers is gearing up for the Novato Theater Sneak Preview, set for 7 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall. There will be live entertainment designed to be a sample of the kind of programming residents would get to see inside the new theater. Wine and desserts will be served. Tickets are $25 at the door and $10 for kids 12-18.

The group has been recruiting investors for a limited liability corporation as part of a new nonprofit set up called Novato Screen Savers. The nonprofit set up a limited liability corporation that is working toward fundraising, interior demolition, full operation and full ownership of the theater.

Novato Screen Savers is drawn up to own at least 51 percent of the shares in the LLC, but the group is seeking investors with a minimum of $30,000 to step up soon. Baeza said several local banks have expressed interest in making pledges to get things moving.

The group points out that the $750,000 can be partly in pledges — not necessarily cash but LLC commitments from investors — so the 501(c)3 nonprofit can wrap up a deal with the city to purchase the building. The $50,000 price on the theater is contingent on hitting the pledge target.

The large investors in the LLC will not receive a return on their money for 10 years, but after that they will be guaranteed a five-percent return per year. The long-term plan is that the nonprofit does well enough to buy out those initial big-ticket investors, Baeza said.

Jo Behm, another longtime Novato resident who made a sizeable contribution to the cause, said people should not be scared away thinking only deep-pocketed citizens can contribution.

“If you’re on the fence, don’t slack up now,” she said. “If we had a lot of people writing checks for $100 or $500, we can get there. Of course we appreciate the more affluent people who can contribute more dollars, but every $100 helps.

“We are really hopeful. The main idea is that it already exists and the exterior has a beautiful historical significance for Novato and we can bring it back to life. We can have that hub of entertainment and feeling of community that we need downtown. What we accomplish can last for many generations to come. That’s what I want to see.”

What happens if the group gets close — painfully close — but doesn’t reach $750,000 by June 1? City Manager Michael Frank said that would be a decision to be made by the Novato City Council.

“My guess is that there would be a little wiggle room if they’re that close, but that’s up to the council,” he said.

Behm added, “I hope if we’re close enough, we can have some mercy on the part of the city council. If we’re within a reasonable reach, I can’t imagine we’re going to get shut down. I am hoping we can keep making significant strides and plead for an extension.”

Meantime, Miller said she would focus on helping the group reach its goal.

“I love Novato and feel very fortunate to live here, and I look at downtown as a big piece of spongecake,” she said. “If you open the theater, that’s the strawberries and whipped cream. The people will come to partake.”

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See linked stories for more details and search for Novato Theater on Facebook to join the effort.