Santa Monica could be getting very ambitious with plans for the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, the 55-year-old, Welton Becket-designed convention and concert venue that's fallen into disrepair and has been shuttered since last year. There's been talk of tearing it down, but the city is now determined to keep it alive and, ideally, have it serve as the center of a new mixed-use cultural district, reports the Los Angeles Business Journal. They've gotten in touch with Grove/Americana owner Caruso Affiliated and Grand Avenue Project developer Related Cos. to see if they're interested in making that happen. The city closed the venue after the governor snatched the redevelopment funds that would have paid for a big renovation; Nederlander Concerts, which owns the Pantages and the Greek, was close to sealing a deal to operate the venue, but the contract was contingent on the reno. The city has now asked Nederlander and several others, including LA Live owner AEG, concert promoter Live Nation, and the Dolby Theatre (home of the Oscars), if they're interested in the job. (Nederlander is not excited about potentially seeing it go to someone else.) The city won't make a recommendation on what to do until "the middle of next year."
· Concert Producers Still Sees Sound Stage at Closed Site [LABJ]
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