FULLERTON : City OKs $4.7 Million for Theater Parking

City officials signed a $4.7-million agreement this week to provide parking for the Fox Fullerton Theatre, a decision that paves the way for the restoration and reopening of the historic movie house.

The City Council voted 4 to 1 to spend the money to buy and demolish houses behind the theater, relocate the tenants living there and build a 200-space parking garage on the land. Also, the council tentatively agreed to buy a former mortuary east of the Fox to allow for better access to the parking structure and improve parking for adjacent retail shops.

In exchange, the owner of the Fox, Edward G. Lewis, must spend up to $1.55 million to restore the theater’s six Italian-style murals and stage decorations and bring the building up to modern earthquake and handicapped-accessibility standards.

That amount is in addition to the $1.1 million that Lewis said he has already spent fixing up the building. Lewis also agreed to pay $150,000 toward the purchase of the mortuary building, since he owns the retail shops that would benefit from the added parking.

Councilman Richard C. Ackerman voted against the Fox project, saying the cost to reopen the theater is too high.

The city came up with the $4.7 million through selling $4.1 million in bonds last year for the Fox project and collecting $600,000 in interest from the bonds.

City officials have cited the project as an important element in bringing more shoppers to downtown Fullerton, especially in the evening.

“This is a big commitment (Lewis) is asking us for, but I think it’s justified,” Councilman Chris Norby said. “It (the theater) really is the last of a vanishing breed in Orange County.”