CARLSBAD — A small group of residents is working to protect the nearly century-old Carlsbad Theatre from possible redevelopment into a retail space.
Ken Kebow and others have started communications with Encinitas-based RAF Pacifica Group, or RPG, urging the developer to refrain from transforming the theater on State Street into a potential retail space. Instead, Kebow proposes a partnership with New Village Arts, which unveiled a more than $2 million renovation to its building earlier this year, to create an “art hub” in Carlsbad Village.
The theater was founded in 1927, with several owners over the decades, including RPG, which purchased the property several years ago, according to theater records.
According to reports, Adam Robinson, president of RPG, is open to the idea of preserving the space as a theater or art center.
“We don’t need another restaurant or coffee shop in the Village,” Kebow said. “I used to come here as a kid to watch matinees. We would like to turn it into an art hub with New Village Arts.”
The developer’s conceptual renderings show a sleek modern design with the potential for retail space on the ground floor with outdoor seating or dining. The owners will “create a new storefront and façade with updates to the building but keeping the historic architecture,” according to the developer’s plans.
The property’s first two stories boast more than 8,000 square feet of space, creating the possibility of office or residential space on the second floor. Plans for new uses are mostly contained on the first floor.
Messages were left with two representatives for the property, along with RPG, but they were not returned by deadline.
But Kebow believes there is an opportunity to preserve the theater by establishing a nonprofit arm, similar to Dea Hurston New Village Arts Center, to solicit donations and grow the venue with a variety of offerings, such as classic movie nights, live theater, lectures and community events.
Several years ago, the theater underwent renovations for its 328-seat venue, which included a new cinema screen, stage, carpet, code compliance, increased electrical capacity and others.
“There is a nostalgia,” Kebow said. “Our group is working to lease the space to screen classic movies, present live events and host community functions.”
RPG has built numerous projects in Carlsbad, including several commercial properties and Lift Carlsbad, an outdoor plaza home to Eureka!, Del Lusso Pizza, Krave Asian Fusion and Honma House in Bressi Ranch.
Correction: A quote regarding more coffee shops was incorrectly attributed to Adam Robinson of RPG. He did not comment for the story. Ken Kebow made the comment.
