San Fernando to Seek Bids for Theater Project

The San Fernando City Council put off selecting a developer for a planned downtown retail and theater complex Monday, with members saying they wanted to solicit other offers for the project.

On a 3-2 vote, the council agreed to launch a formal competitive bidding process to develop the proposed three-acre site in the downtown area.

Nearly 200 people turned out for the council meeting, which was moved from council chambers to the nearby San Fernando Recreational Park gym to accommodate the overflow crowd.

Many in the audience voiced support for the theater project. Backers said the project would bring a strong economic anchor to the community.

At the same time, some in the crowd complained that the city had never formally solicited competitive bids for the development.

“The bidding needs to be open,” said Joe Ruelas, a school counselor. “There’s a flaw in the process.”

The council was originally scheduled to choose between Burbank developer Victor Georgino and San Fernando developer Pueblo Contracting Services for the project. But Georgino withdrew last week.

As part of its proposal, Pueblo was looking to bring in the Maya Cinemas, a new chain backed by producer-activist Moctesuma Esparza.

Pueblo Contracting Services has never built a major retail project or multiplex cinema, but company officials maintain experience is not an issue.

Company President Martha Diaz Aszkenazy said her firm has been in the development business for the past 20 years and has partnered with companies that have done large projects.

“We are very disappointed that this City Council continues to work against the public will,” she said Monday.

Council members who voted to delay action and seek new bids were Beverly Di Tomaso, Richard S. Ramos and Silverio Robledo. Dissenting were Mayor Jose Hernandez and Councilwoman Cindy Montanez.

Hernandez said the delay could kill the project.

“If we don’t decide to approve tonight, we might as well kiss the theater goodbye,” Hernandez said during the debate.