As of May 25, 2010 the former Salida Opera House is in imminent danger of demolition.

Historic Salida, Inc. wants to keep this from happening and you can help!

(click here to download background document)

The email account – savetheunique@yahoo.com – is what we will use as “communications central” for the time being. We can use it for announcing meetings, events, etc. Eventually we will be able to share information about the progress on saving the Unique, once an approach has been identified.

 
We want to recruit folks with interests in particular roles that are needed in any “incident command” situation, which is what this seems to be – reacting to an incident quickly, effectively, and efficiently. Communications, finances, fundraising, volunteer recruitment, etc., etc. There is lots to do and lots of people who are interested. I’m sure they will step up to the plate and work hard. One of the foremost roles to be filled is the leader or project manager or director, or whatever it might be called.  
The following are notes from the Historic Salida board of directors meeting on Friday, May 21, where many issues were discussed. There wasn't much time to send out messages about that meeting, and we hope you will be able to spend an hour or so on Tuesday morning to help this effort get organized and get started.
There was an excellent discussion at the Historic Salida, Inc., meeting on Friday, May 21, regarding the status of the Unique building. The rear has been examined by the City, and there are a number of health and safety violations that must be addressed within 90 days of notice – August 30 – through either repair or demolition. According to his attorney, the owner has said he will demolish the building. The building is for sale, and the owner will consider offers.

Discussion centered around the possibility of purchase, perhaps keeping the front 50’ of the building, and either demolishing or stabilizing the rear of the building. It is unlikely that the project would be financially viable as a usual development project, so it would need financial support from outside sources to make up the difference between cost of stabilization/ rehabilitation and market price. Even the demolition portion of the project would be expensive. Unless someone finances the project out of the goodness of their hearts, it would require grants or other types of financing, and probably participation by a number of agencies and organizations.

But the upshot is that something needs to happen – and happen quickly. And it became apparent that the effort should be coordinated at a single point to be sure everyone is up to speed on what everyone is doing. (But we would not look unkindly on someone who didn’t let us know before she showed up to buy the building and return it to its former glory.)
 
Please contact us to get involved and help save this historic theater!