Funds OKd to Study Theater Conversion

Amid a laundry list of appropriations, the Los Angeles City Council voted Tuesday to set aside $30,000 in next year’s budget to study the possibility of converting a Canoga Park movie theater that shows X-rated films into a performing arts center.

At the behest of Councilwoman Laura Chick, the council agreed to spend $30,000 to determine whether it is feasible to buy and repair the quake-damaged Pussycat Theatre on Sherman Way for use as a community theater.

The X-rated movie theater has been a sore point for Canoga Park business owners who complained to Chick that the theater has contributed to the deterioration of the business climate in the community.

The plan to convert the theater to a community arts center was proposed by the Winnetka Chamber of Commerce and the West Valley Symphony Orchestra after the Jan. 17 quake severely damaged and closed the Pussycat Theatre.

The estimated cost of clearing damaged portions of the building and reinforcing the theater range from $700,000 to $1 million, said Karen Constine, Chick’s chief of staff. The building owner has discussed with orchestra representatives the idea of selling the building, she said.

The study approved by the council will evaluate the cost of converting the building into a 500-seat performing center and project the theater’s annual maintenance and operating costs, Constine said.