SIMI VALLEY : City Wants to Make Church an Arts Hub
The Simi Valley City Council voted 3 to 2 Monday night to set up a fund-raising foundation and proceed with design work to transform a boarded-up 69-year-old church into a cultural arts center.
Councilwomen Sandi Webb and Barbara Williamson voted no, due to concerns about the cost of renovating the former Simi Valley Community Methodist Episcopal Church, 3050 Los Angeles Ave., and running a 350-seat community theater inside.
The reconstruction is expected to cost more than $2 million, and the center will probably run up a $95,000 annual operating deficit by its fifth year, a consultant has estimated.
But Mayor Greg Stratton and council members Judy Mikels and Bill Davis voted to proceed with the proposed arts center, saying it is badly needed and is supported by most residents.
An architect will return in several weeks with design options.
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