GLENDALE : Panel Must Find Funds to Move Organ

The hope that the historic Lanterman organ might someday play music in Glendale remains alive, but City Council members Tuesday made it clear that they are eager to find a new home for the instrument, which has been in storage since the city bought it in 1990.

A citizens committee, which has suggested the city donate the ornate 1920s-era organ to Glendale Community College, was given two weeks to come up with more information on how funds could be raised to modify the college’s auditorium, refurbish the organ and install it there.

Most council members said they would like the organ--originally installed in 1929 at the Fox Theatre in San Francisco--to stay in Glendale. But some are wary at the lack of a concrete plan to pay for its installation at the college, a project that could cost as much as $1 million.

The city bought the organ for $50,000 from the city of La Canada Flintridge, with the intention of installing it in the Alex Theatre. But it was too large for that facility and the city has spent $110,000 to store it, officials said.

Backers of installing the organ at the college said that they are confident the money for the project can be raised from corporate donors and grants. However, the college is unable to bear any of the costs, officials said.

“I think [we] would like to see this remain in Glendale; however, we have to be realistic,” said Councilwoman Mary Ann Plumley. “I don’t see any good, solid, feasible plan that tells us the organ can remain here.”

While not wanting to abandon the organ too quickly, council members also didn’t want to forfeit an offer from Buena Vista Pictures, one of three parties offering to buy the organ. The firm has bid $120,000 on the instrument and wants to install it in the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood to provide old-style organ music during movie intermissions.

Robert Cunningham, a Buena Vista vice president, said the company would “restore [the organ] to its historic role as a movie house organ” and fulfill many of the objectives Glendale set when it bought the organ by making it available for live shows in the local area. City officials said they will also use the extra time to study several other recent bids and donation requests.