IT'S CURTAINS FOR VCC CENTER WON'T RUN MADRID THEATRE.Byline: BRAD A. GREENBERG Staff Writer CANOGA PARK -- After winning an 11th-hour promise of $56,000 in taxpayer funds to continue running the Madrid Theatre, the Valley Cultural Center said Monday that it will pull out after all because the city hasn't come through with the money. The center will cease operation of the theater, which is owned by the city and was hailed as the catalyst of the new Canoga Park, on Jan. 30. ``They just took too long to get done things that need to get done,'' said Michael Turner, VCC An electronics designation that refers to voltage from a power supply connected to the "collector" terminal of a bipolar transistor. In an NPN bipolar (BJT) transistor, it would be +Vcc, while in a PNP transistor, it would be -Vcc. chairman. ``The city for whatever reason doesn't seem to move very quickly. For organizations like us, where we don't have the deep pockets, we can't wait for them to figure out whatever they need to figure out.'' Only 3 1/2 months ago, the VCC, which also runs Concerts in the Park at Warner Center Park, warned that it would no longer be able to manage the Madrid if the city didn't provide a $56,000 subsidy to cover an operational deficit. Councilman Dennis Zine, whose district includes the theater, had denied the request, claiming the VCC was ``fiscally irresponsible ir·re·spon·si·ble adj. 1. Marked by a lack of responsibility: irresponsible accusations. 2. Lacking a sense of responsibility; unreliable or untrustworthy. 3. .'' But at the last minute, he promised money from his civic fund and state community-redevelopment funds. The finances started to arrive, but the VCC couldn't come to an agreement with the city's Department of Cultural Affairs, which had been tasked with renewing its three-year contract for another year after it had expired June 30. The city will operate the theater while searching for a replacement. ``We are here to do a seamless transition,'' said Karen Constine, who in July became cultural affairs interim general manager. ``We acknowledge the process has been slower than desired. But we're here and we are going to keep the theater going.'' She wouldn't comment on why the VCC contract was not renewed, as the council had directed, or why a request for bids from prospective operators to take over July 1 has not been drafted. Some misgivings In a letter Friday to VCC President and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. Jim Kinsey, Zine repeatedly expressed his ``frustration'' and ``disappointment'' with the Department of Cultural Affairs. ``Valley Cultural is a wonderful organization. They did a great job,'' Zine said in an interview Monday. ``Unfortunately, Cultural Affairs is dropping the ball. They are responsible. And I don't feel comfortable having them run (Madrid) for an extended period of time.'' Neither do community backers. Cultural Affairs tried running the Madrid once before -- and the results were meager mea·ger also mea·gre adj. 1. Deficient in quantity, fullness, or extent; scanty. 2. Deficient in richness, fertility, or vigor; feeble: the meager soil of an eroded plain. 3. . After the former Pussycat puss·y·cat n. 1. A cat. 2. Informal One who is regarded as easygoing, mild-mannered, or amiable. Noun 1. Theater was damaged in the 1994 Northridge Earthquake The Northridge earthquake occurred on January 17, 1994 at 4:31 AM Pacific Standard Time in the city of Los Angeles, California. The earthquake had a "strong" moment magnitude of 6. , then-Councilwoman Laura Chick chick abbreviation for chicken (1). pushed to have the X-rated-movie house rebuilt as a community playhouse. The 433-seat Madrid Theatre opened in 1998 to jubilant optimism. Supporters envisioned 135 to 175 performances each year, drawing 50,000 theatergoers to Antique Row. Out of the ashes, a phoenix would rise on Sherman Way. But, under the governance of the Department of Cultural Affairs, the first five years were a disappointment. With a $440,000 operating budget Noun 1. operating budget - a budget for current expenses as distinct from financial transactions or permanent improvements budget items, operating cost, operating expense, overhead - the expense of maintaining property (e.g. , the theater hosted only 52 plays in 2002 and failed to attract the anticipated foot traffic. ``There was no big draw to the shows put on there,'' said Mike Puetz, owner of nearby Henri's Restaurant and Barroom. ``Now there are a lot of interesting shows that go on there.'' The VCC, which received a $120,000 subsidy and had an $800,000 operating budget, tripled the number of performances and doubled attendance in the first year, with attention-grabbing shows such as ``Orgasms: The Play.'' Puetz spoke gravely about the anticipated effect of cultural affairs taking the theater back. Canoga Park's rebirth re·birth n. 1. A second or new birth; reincarnation. 2. A renaissance; a revival: a rebirth of classicism in architecture. doesn't demand the Madrid Theatre for its continued success, he said. But there is a lingering lin·ger v. lin·gered, lin·ger·ing, lin·gers v.intr. 1. To be slow in leaving, especially out of reluctance; tarry. See Synonyms at stay1. 2. fear that the stretch of Sherman between Owensmouth and Remmet avenues could return to more dangerous days. ``Every setback setback In architecture, a steplike recession in the profile of a high-rise building. Usually dictated by building codes to allow sunlight to reach streets and lower floors, the building must take another step back from the street for every specified added height interval. for that place,'' he said, ``is another nail in the coffin for that area.'' brad.greenberg(at)dailynews.com (818) 713-3634 CAPTION(S): map Map: Madrid Theatre |
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