Wachs Urges Reversal on Greek Theatre Deal

City Councilman Joel Wachs, a consistent critic of a recent decision extending the contract for the Greek Theatre, has called on his colleagues to rescind that action.

Wachs’ proposal, which will be considered by the City Council on Jan. 19, comes after city officials announced that organizers of a referendum drive have submitted more than 64,600 signatures to place the issue before voters.

Wachs wants the council to rescind the five-year contract extension granted to the politically well-connected operators of the theater rather than force the issue to be put on the ballot. A ballot measure would cost the city $1.8 million and a special city election could cost double that, the councilman said.

Further, Wachs has asked that the Recreation and Parks Commission seek competitive bids for the contract. Greek-Nederlander Inc., which has operated the Los Feliz theater for the last 25 years, was granted the extension without an open bidding process.

Universal House of Blues has argued that it would provide the city with a better financial deal and that the city illegally granted the contract extension by neglecting to seek competitive bids.