As part of the Lafayette City Council’s commitment to strengthening Lafayette’s civic values through arts organization presentations at the beginning of the first council meeting of each month, The Park Theater Trust (TPTT) president, Kathy Bowles, presented future renovation plans and the contribution the Park Theater will make to the vibrancy of the Lafayette arts community during the Feb. 9 council meeting. 

    “[The City Council has] displayed decades of commitment to art, culture, music, theater, and dance,” Bowles said during the presentation. “We acknowledge and appreciate that a robust and healthy community has to contain these elements. It is a commitment made decades ago by … our community’s embrace of a 100-year-old theater, [and] the amazing library and its commitment to lifelong learning for every segment of our society. The Park Theater is part of that rich history and heritage.”

    The Park Theater first opened in 1941 as a cultural cornerstone of the community’s growing downtown. It eventually closed in 2005, largely due to the arrival of regional multiplexes, and remained dark until 2021, when TPTT purchased the Park property on behalf of the community, with the help of community and city donations. Since then, TPTT has raised $12 million of its $15 million goal and is estimated to finish renovations by early 2027.

    The Park is transitioning from a single-screen movie house to a sustainable, two-theater cinema with a community space, rooftop terrace and commercial kitchen, and will be operated by CinemaSFBAY. 

    One of TPTT’s goals during the purchase and restoration, and promise to the community, has been to save the historic architecture and marquee from demolition. The original architect, William B. David, built over 25 cinemas in California and Oregon in the Streamlined Moderne style, which followed the Art Deco style. The marquee on the side of the Park Theater is a distinct display of public art, with 1941 Noviol glass tubing from Murano, Italy. Jim Rizzo from NeonWorks in Berkeley currently has the neon in storage, where it will remain as Rizzo waits to restore it.

    TPTT is attempting to reuse the original Park’s traits to recapture its original welcoming nature. The trust duplicated the original carpets, altering it slightly with a more subtle floral pattern; worked with Series Seating to produce comfortable chairs; and recreated exterior wood and glass poster boxes. They are also restoring the original Art Deco sconces and teardrop ceiling lights, repurposing a vintage film cabinet for the community and projector head for display.

    The new Park Theater will also offer entertainment beyond movies. TPTT’s initial survey in 2018 revealed the community wanted movies, as well as music, speakers, and more. As a result, the trust quickly focused on creating an environment that would deliver entertainment in a variety of forms. 

    “The Park will really be an acoustical showpiece,” Bowles said. “Not just sound for movies, but for the variety of programming that will be offered, … so although we will be replicating many of the wonderful textile and period piece finishes, the patron experience will really be top-notch.”
    Through funding from the Community Foundation of Lafayette, TPTT is currently creating a documentary capturing the history and reconstruction of the Park. They plan on sharing this documentary once they open in 2027.

    Bowles finished her presentation by asking the council and those in attendance a question: “Do you believe the Park can be a cultural catalyst for our greater community?” 

    “If yes,” she said, “we would greatly appreciate your support.”    

    For more information on the Park Theater Trust renovations, visit www.parktheatertrust.org.