Fullerton Theater Rescue Is Faltering

Unable to raise $1.8 million by today’s deadline to save the historic Fox Theatre in downtown Fullerton, preservationists are now hoping the City Council will come to the rescue.

The Fullerton Historic Theatre Foundation is campaigning to save the 1920s-era landmark from being sold to a developer, who plans to raze the structure and build apartments.

The property owner wants $3.5 million for the theater. The city has pledged $1.6 million in redevelopment funds if the foundation hits its goal of $1.8 million by today.

Heading into the weekend, the foundation had raised more than $700,000, through such fundraising events as a golf tournament, rummage sales and classic-film screenings.

In the last 10 days, the foundation raised $150,000. But, more than $1 million short of its goal, the campaign concludes today with a 7 p.m. pizza-and-pledge party at the foundation office, 131 W. Commonwealth Ave.

Theater supporters hope the city will make up any fundraising shortfall. Such a grant has been proposed by Councilman Leland Wilson but failed to win sufficient support at a recent redevelopment meeting.

The issue will return to the City Council at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

“At least some members of the council said they would like to cover the shortfall,” said Jane Reifer, foundation president. “We’re hoping that a lot of our supporters go to the council meeting and express their support for the theater.”

Preservationists envision restoring the theater, which closed in 1987, not only as a venue for films and live performances but as a cultural anchor for Fullerton’s downtown.

The Fox is one of several theaters built in once-rural Orange County. Many residents can still recall seeing first-run movies there as late as the 1970s, when its popularity began to wane in favor of multiplex cinemas at malls.

Councilman Don Bankhead, who said he pledged $1,000 to the foundation, argues that preserving the theater is a worthy cause. But he said buying the property is only the first step.

Unused for more than 15 years, the theater is in need of major rehabilitation, with some estimates as high as $10 million, he said.

Still, letting the foundation buy the theater is the best option, said Wilson.

“They’ve only had six to seven months to do fundraising, and that’s a very short time,” the councilman said. “If we help them get over the top, they can take it over and begin rehabilitation and start a long-range fundraising campaign to pay for repairs.”