Local News in Brief : Theater Center Funded

The Los Angeles Theater Center, a prime part of Mayor Tom Bradley’s plan to revitalize the old Spring Street financial district in downtown Los Angeles, has been given $2,090,600 by the city Community Redevelopment Agency for the next year.

The CRA board approved the grant after the agency staff said the theater has tightened its management. Among the improvements cited were an increase in attendance from 50% of capacity to 66%, a reduction in ticket marketing costs, improved business practices and the start of a three-year, $7-million fund-raising drive.

Previously, the board had approved a temporary bail-out for the theater this year and indicated it would vote for a yearlong subsidy after it received a financial report it considered satisfactory.

On Wednesday, the board agreed with a staff conclusion that the theater is needed for “the creation of around-the-clock activities which are essential to a modern and balanced urban environment and the preservation and use of a historic Spring Street building.”