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Groundbreaking For the Historic Royal Theatre Renovation project
The City of Guadalupe will host a groundbreaking event for the historic Royal Theatre renovation project. This event will take place on December 1, 2025, at 1 PM at the Royal Theatre, located at 848 Guadalupe St, Guadalupe, CA 93434.
The building has remained unused since it was red tagged in 1991 due to an electrical fire. The City began the process of determining the future of the project in 2021 and hired a design team (Andrew Goodwin Designs) to start the process in July 2021, with community meetings held to discuss what residents wanted to see at the Royal Theatre. The City’s aim was to convert the historic movie theatre into a community performing arts center.
On September 8, 2022, the City of Guadalupe was awarded $4,889,121 from the federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) for the renovation of the Royal Theatre. Although the City applied for $10 million, which was the maximum grant amount at the time of the application (November 2021), the EDA later informed the City that the maximum had been reduced to $5 million due to the number of applicants.
With the loss of $5 million, which would have fully funded the project, the City reached out to State Senator Monique Limón, hoping to secure additional funding. The Senator was able to secure an additional $5 million in state funds for the project, passing through the California Arts Council, in August 2022.
On October 14, 2025, the construction contract was awarded to Pre Con Industries for a total of $9,780,000. The award includes the base bid, at the amount stated, with the contract also included five alternates, that were conditioned on finding the funding to pay for the alternates.
The five alternate are:
- Existing building Audio Visual full build-out.
- Exterior Front Plaza, Exterior Amphitheater, Exterior Stage, and perimeter walls. 3. New Building Interior floor finishes, wall finishes, ceiling finishes, fixtures, interior doors, and mechanical equipment for Kitchen, Restrooms, Green Room, Classrooms, Lobby, and Concessions
- New building Kitchen full build-out.
- New building Audio Visual full build-out.
[Each has been estimated and a City capital campaign will focus its efforts on funding these five alternates to ensure the project opens with all components completed. A separate press release will be sent detailing the capital campaign, the amount needed, and potential gifts for donations. Presently the capital campaign information can be found here: https://guadalupecac.org/donate-to-the-royal-theater-capital-campaign/]
Some of the work to be completed at the Royal Theatre includes renovating the historic building according to the California Historic Code and constructing a connected one-story building that will transform the historic movie theater into a performing arts center. Additionally, the project will feature the addition of a plaza and an amphitheater.
The City of Guadalupe is a public entity, serving the people of Guadalupe, California.
If you would like more information about this topic, please email the Project Manager at brandeberrytom@gmail.com or 916-281-7638. Mayor Ariston Julian is also available at ariston.julian3@icloud.com.
