Officials to Visit Theater Chains

Oxnard City Council members John Zaragoza and Bedford Pinkard plan to visit several Southern California theater chains today as part of a fact-finding mission to determine how theaters operate and what parking facilities are required for a multiscreen theater complex.

The tour comes as plans for a downtown theater project continue to be held up in negotiations among the developer, Metropolitan Theaters and a possible theater operator.

Although city officials four months ago said a deal would be completed, it could take another month before a deal is finalized, said Richard Maggio, special projects manager.

The two councilmen, developer Rex Swanson and Maggio will visit theaters in Santa Monica, Long Beach, Norwalk and Riverside on their daylong tour.

The Oxnard theater project is part of a downtown revitalization plan that included straightening A Street and redesigning Plaza Park.

Critics of a theater in downtown Oxnard say unless a parking garage is built along with the theater, there would be a parking shortage for patrons.

“I would like to see the quality of the theaters and what their parking situation is,” Zaragoza said. “I want a quality theater in Oxnard that will help downtown.”