Judge Dismisses Challenge to Rialto Theatre Plan
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge dismissed a lawsuit Tuesday that alleges the city incorrectly approved a plan to change the landmark Rialto Theatre, one of region’s old movie houses, into a five-screen complex, city officials said.
The decision clears the way for the conversion of the 72-year-old Spanish Baroque theater into a multiplex.
The suit asserted the City Council did not require the Landmark Theatre Corp., owners of Rialto, to provide adequate parking. The suit was filed by Robert Wagner, a former mayor who owns the shopping complex next door.
City officials said the proposed improvements to the Rialto would increase the number of screens but would not increase the seating capacity.
The theater’s owners are expected to begin the project next year, city officials said.
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