“The whole point is for the entirety of the community of San Diego to have an all-inclusive place to call home. This place had such an iconic reign, and we’re just looking to bring that back.”
and educational programs, as well. Community members will also be able to partner with the venue to host weddings, graduations, and events. Stopper says the finished project will include a museum of recording arts, as well as a working media lab for elementary- to university-level students. He plans to collaborate with local schools and colleges to provide after- school programs and internships for those hoping to make a career in media.
In the meantime, Save Starlight has been able to make significant renovations to the upper part of the bowl by maintaining a special use permit from the city. These permits are valid for three years and can be renewed at the end of the term. Save Starlight has applied for its third renewal, which will take it into 2026. But none of the major renovations can take place until that long-term lease is approved by the city council, and Save Starlight will also need to request a proposal for a sole-source agreement, which would exclude outside entities from bidding on the renovation project. “The whole point is for the entirety of the community of San Diego to have an all-inclusive place to call home,” Ghadishah says. “This place had such an iconic reign, and we’re just looking to bring that back.”
Moreover, Stopper intends the space to serve as an incubator for young local musicians who will share performance bills with national acts. “What we’re looking at is bringing in a different contingent— especially younger people—[and] more diverse and cutting-edge things,” he says. Part of that depends on finding the right partners. Upon reopening, Save Starlight will work with promoters to book shows at the venue. Revenue from this arrangement will be used for upkeep of the bowl. But before any of this can happen, Save Starlight needs to secure a long-term lease with the venue’s current owners: the city of San Diego. The road has been a slow one, due largely to a shortage of staff at the city across all departments, including lease development, Ghadishah explains. The city’s backlog of high-priority items, like road repair and housing
issues, and state mandates that require a review on all new leases have delayed the nonprofit’s efforts further. “If we get
a lease tomorrow, I have 10 donors right now that each want to donate over $1 million,” Ghadishah says. “But they are not comfortable donating the money without a lease.”
50 JUNE 2023
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