Decision Postponed on Greek Theatre Contract

Citing a lack of information, a City Council panel postponed a decision Monday on the controversial contract extension for the Greek Theatre.

The committee’s members, Rita Walters, Hal Bernson and Alex Padilla, have the unenviable task of deciding whether the current operator should win a lucrative extension over two other entertainment companies.

Walters, who has argued against a contract extension for Nederlander-Greek Inc., suggested that the committee wait for more information on the potential environmental effects of proposed improvements before making a recommendation to the full council.

Nederlander, the politically well-connected firm that has operated the Los Feliz theater for 24 years, faces competition from two other firms. One runs the Universal Amphitheatre and the House of Blues, and the second operates Irvine Meadows and other concert facilities.

While Walters has attacked Nederlander for its offer to raise salaries for minimum-wage workers in exchange for the five-year extension, Bernson has appeared more supportive. Padilla, one of the newest members of the City Council, has not taken a position.

The committee could, of course, send the entire matter without a unanimous recommendation to the full council, where it will no doubt receive a full hearing. Lawmakers who include council President John Ferraro have close ties to many of the people involved in the issue. Further, the contract has attracted some of the city’s top lobbyists, one of whom helped Padilla win election last spring.

Walters said the panel will reexamine the issue in two weeks, when she hopes to have a report on whether improvements to the Greek will meet requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act.