SIMI VALLEY : Courthouse May Be Used as Theater

The Simi Valley City Council is considering a plan to convert the Ventura County municipal courthouse into a stage for plays and dance concerts.

Council members on Monday reviewed the plans by the Simi Valley Cultural Assn. to rent part of the city-owned courthouse at 3190 Cochran St. so that community groups, including the Santa Susana Repertory Company, can use it.

The Simi Valley-based theater company has held performances inside a circus tent pitched near City Hall. The theater company is one of two nonprofit groups interested in using the old courthouse, to be vacated once the county finishes construction of a new building on Alamo Street in January, Deputy City Manager Bob Heitzman said.

American Red Cross officials have also indicated their willingness to rent part of the old courthouse for use as an office.

The cultural association has indicated it wants to use the old courtroom and lobby for plays, theatrical workshops and rehearsals.

The leases are expected to be presented to the City Council within two months. If the leases are approved, the two groups will share the building with the Simi Valley Police Department, which already has an office next door. The Police Department is scheduled to make minor improvements before moving part of its operations next year.

The city acquired the 11,000-square-foot courthouse from the county two years ago in exchange for land at the civic center site at Alamo Street and Tapo Canyon Road, Mayor Greg Stratton said.

Instead of tearing the building down, the city has agreed to find other uses for the site.

In addition to the municipal courtroom, the existing courthouse also houses the Probation Department and offices of county Supervisor James Dougherty, offices that are also scheduled to move next year.

The association has indicated that it will pay up to $1,000 a month in rent the first year and the theater company has agreed to pay 10% of gross revenues from performances, according to a report to the council.

The Red Cross has indicated it would pay up to $100 a month in rent the first year for a smaller office.