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A performing arts theater could revitalize downtown
By Kara Chalmers
Although he has not yet submitted a plan to the city's community development department, Ken Carter, founder of the EagleWing Theatre Company, addressed the City Council Feb. 16 about a performing arts theater in Saratoga Village.
After meeting with the Saratoga Business Development Council Jan. 25, Carter, who is the director of music at the Saratoga Presbyterian Church, went to the City Council to request that the city waive some of the fees involved in the planning process, since EagleWing is a nonprofit company.
The property Carter is interested in is on Turkey Track Lane, near the corner of Big Basin Way and Third Street behind Bella Saratoga. Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Brozda of Santa Cruz own the property, and according to Carter, the property would be a great place for a theater of about 200 seats.
The project, which has been in the works at EagleWing for three to four years, has come to an impasse, Carter told the council. Brozda believes the property is worth more than an initial appraisal said it was worth. While the board of the theater company would consider paying more than the appraisal amount, Carter said he needed a little more assurance from the city that the theater could ultimately be built if the company buys the property.
"We can bear a little more in terms of cost if the city gives us the high sign that the project can be done," Carter said later in an interview. "[The Brozdas] have been very gracious to us. We're trying to work out a win-win proposition for them and for us as well."
Carter also asked the council if it would consider waiving the fees and use a previous traffic study for that location, so the company would not have to pay for a whole new study, in case the project is not approved
A performing arts theater could revitalize the downtown area, said Mayor Stan Bogosian at the meeting. Other council members agreed, and said they supported the project in concept. But while council members seemed enthusiastic about the project, and said it would be a major enhancement for the Village, the project still must go through the city's normal planning process. The council advised Carter to submit a plan to the community development department. The council said it would consider at a later point whether to waive fees.
Carter said EagleWing would offer standard theater performances, including musicals and straight performances eight times a week for a 40-week season. But he is also envisioning a unique program which would entail bringing seniors to Saratoga by passenger vans, six days a week, to see a play, shop and have a meal at one of the downtown restaurants. Carter called it "a Saratoga experience."
Performances would not be restricted to the general public, but the company would market daytime performances to seniors and church groups, rather than to the general public.
"I've been very supportive of it," said Bill Cooper, owner of Bella Saratoga restaurant. "I have concerns about parking, but that's solvable. Other than that, I think it's a wonderful idea."
Cooper noted that if a theater opens up in the Village for weekend night performances, the people who now park for a couple of hours to eat dinner will be parking for an additional two hours to also see a show. He said that during the time the restaurants normally get the busiest--weekend nights--there should be adequate parking.
Carter said he is optimistic about the theater project, wherever it ends up. He is looking for other venues in Saratoga and outside, as well.
"We're always looking, because there are no guarantees on this one," he said.
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Saratoga, California Since 1955
