Historical background on plans to build a performing arts auditorium in Arcadia, starting in 1977-1978. The Arcadia Auditorium Foundation (AAF) was formed by Charles Gilb, Gloria Horstman and Joe Sargis. The building did not come to fruition but the money has supported music programs at Arcadia Unified School District over the years. Now that Measure I is funding a Performing Arts Center at Arcadia High School, the AAF will fund the ending expenses of the construction. Arcadia Mayor Gary Kovacic has been a long-time advocate of an auditorium. See hard copy in VF "Arcadia Performing Arts Center."
Arcadia Performing Arts Center (auditorium) opens, with Paul Anka, to rave reviews. It was a sell-out performance at this $20 million venue's inaugural event. Paul Anka performed his 1959 hit "Put Your Head on My Shoulder."
Paul Anka to perform at the benefit and grand opening concert October 27, 2012 at the new $20 million, state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center, part of Arcadia Unified School District. High school musicians will accompany Paul Anka.
Arcadia Unified School District offering free COVID-19 rapid take-home tests for every student through the month of January. They held a drive-through pick-up event on January 4 and 5 at Arcadia Performing Arts Center at 188 Campus Drive. In addition to these rapid tests, which were provided by the California Department of Health, the district also has their regular testing located at Arcadia Education Center, which is for Arcadia Unified School District students and staff, free of charge.
Senator Bob Margett told Arcadia City Council that California is facing a $15 billion deficit in the 2003-2004 fiscal year and cities could be targeted for revenue transfers.
Performing Arts Center in Arcadia still under construction. The building costs $20 million and will officially open October 27, 2012 with an opening night concert by Paul Anka. The building has 40,000 square feet and 1200 seats, on the Arcadia High School campus.
Arcadia Unified School District and the city are collaborating on a $150,000 effort to open a youth center at the Arcadia High School cafeteria and extend school library hours for after school hours. This would take some afternoon pressure off the Arcadia Public Library.
City Manager Bill Kelly outlined a $16 million program to finish all public building projects for Arcadia in three years, as part of the city's five-year capital budget. The spending would include a new $6.5 million City Hall, a $1.3 million upgrade to Fire Station 106 on Baldwin Avenue. The city plans to build a new fire station to replace Fire Station 105 on Santa Anita Avenue. A city gym for the civic center property is in planning stages. The city plans to re-roof the community center for $150,000 and to put up 1/2 of the $800,000 cost to make the high school sports field an all-weather facility.
Arcadia City Council has gone on record as supporting the building of a new city hall that would be built on the other side of the Civic Center property. Out of three options presented by city manager Bill Kelly, the council consensus was for a new building at a cost of $6.6 million and adjacent to Huntington Drive West.
Local horn players join "The Four Tops" on stage at Arcadia Performing Arts Center on February 21. The local musicians are Fabio Spinella, a graduate of Arcadia High School, Matthew Murdock, who was a teacher for Arcadia High School Band Program, and Mike Danielson, Music Director at First Avenue Middle School for over 20 years.
City of Arcadia hosting free COVID-19 vaccine site February 7 and 14 at Arcadia Community Center, in collaboration with Chinatown Service Center. The Johnson & Johnson and the Moderna vaccines are available for ages 18 and up. Pfizer vaccine is available for ages 5 and up.
Arcadia City Manager Bill Kelly and Mayor Gary Kovacic met with school board members to discuss possible city-school district projects. School Board members questioned how much a new auditorium would be used and were cool to a joint plan.
Arcadia Stage, the theatre department at Arcadia High School, is presenting "Hairspray," a lighthearted musical at Arcadia Performing Arts Center on March 19-21.
All the judges in Los Angeles County are in the process of voting on whether or not to consolidate the municipal and superior courts. Their decision would affect the local Santa Anita Municipal Court District.