Options Considered in Ventura for 10-Screen Theater Complex

City officials and downtown merchants met Saturday to discuss design alternatives for the ambitious movie theater complex proposed for a block of Main Street.

All agreed on one idea: adding a second story of apartments and offices to the $3.8-million complex, which is planned for the north side of the block between Chestnut and California streets.

“It adds 24-hour use instead of the place just being busy eight to 10 hours a day,” said Nick Deitch, a member of Ventura’s historic preservation and design review committees.

Three possible design configurations emerged from the three-hour meeting.

The first alternative involves tearing down all existing buildings on that side of Main Street except the Bank of America.

A second option entails “flipping” the project to save the architecturally significant Jack Rose Building on the block’s west end and instead leveling the bank. But that would result in major changes to the 31,00-square-foot development, delaying its completion and possibly throwing it into doubt, said Pat Richardson, the city’s project manager. The theater operator wants to have the 10 screens open by spring 1998.

A third scheme would attempt to incorporate some of the Rose building’s architectural features, while demolishing most or all of the structure.

The historic preservation committee has recommended trying to save the long vacant storefront, which was built in 1948 and features a sweeping futuristic facade. But doing so could also endanger the project’s viability.

“I would love to keep the building, but economically I don’t see it happening,” said developer Victor Georgino.

The trio of options will be presented to the City Council on July 29 when an agreement with the developer is expected to be adopted.