Mission Viejo city officials are weighing the possibility of acquiring property to establish a performing arts center, adjacent to the Los Osos Core Area project.
The City Council on Tuesday, March 26, reviewed an early study from consultants TheatreDNA about the potential for a new performing arts center, which could host a variety of performing and fine arts events.
Either the CVS or Big Lots located in the Village Center off of Marguerite Parkway were identified as potential locations for a performing arts center.
Both spots have similar square footage and configurations and are available for purchase, according to an agenda report. Either could house a studio theater with approximately 300 seats, front-of-house and backstage amenities and supplemental support space.
And either spot could provide additional space for other events, like galleries, rehearsal spaces or restaurants. Behind the CVS is extra space that could be used for outdoor programming as well.
The proposed sites can “provide an opportunity for the city to develop a unique venue within the current marketplace,” according to TheatreDNA’s findings.
Consultants envisioned a theater that could host a variety of performances with an adjustable stage. It could include movable seating for when the floor needs to be flat and a small balcony for additional seating, according to TheatreDNA’s proposal.
A performing arts center would be staffed by two to three full-time employees, according to the proposal, with additional part-time or volunteer workers hired as needed.
Aside from whatever the purchase costs of either site may be, the project was estimated to cost $8-11 million for “light renovations to keep the costs reasonable.” The proposal did not include prices for either site, and both stores are currently open and operational.
The sites earmarked for the performing arts center are near the ongoing Los Osos Core Area project — which consultants said could increase traffic to both the center and the Oso Creek area.
The City Council unanimously agreed to further discussion about the performing arts center, asking TheatreDNA to return to the council with the cost of creating a conceptual floor plan and analysis.
Still, discussions are in the early stages, meaning nothing is set yet, said Mayor Pro Tem Bob Reusch.
“This all starts with the first step, and that is what we are trying to do,” Reusch said. “It is obvious our community wants and needs it, but we are seeing if it is viable.”
Other sites being considered include the Civic Center parking lot, Garden Plaza, the Elks Lodge parking lot, Pacific Hills Park, baseball fields by the Norman P. Murray Center and the World Cup Soccer Park.
These would require a brand-new building to be constructed, though, rather than using already existing space. TheatreDNA projected the creation of a new building to cost the city over $113 million.
In a 2017 survey issued by the city, several residents expressed the desire for a performing arts center. Since then, city officials have explored different options for adding a new performing arts center.
“We received a lot of community engagement in both the master plan process and the study, and it’s gratifying to see strong support for the performing arts in Mission Viejo,” Genesis Hansen, director of library and cultural services, said. “With the city council’s actions at last night’s meeting, we are able to take the next steps and determine whether there is fundraising capacity in our community to support a potential theater and provide the city council with more data to inform their future decisions.”
