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Drama, inaction, and politics continue to plague San Clemente’s Miramar Theatre. This past week, the city notified the long dormant venue’s current owner that he was in violation of city codes, due to a host of ongoing maintenance shortcommings. Naturally, this resulted in a round of finger pointing between the city and current owner, Marc Spizzurri; the city even suggesting that they may be forced to step in, which could potentially result in a lien being placed on the property.

 

This latest bit of posturing comes after some two decades of demolition threats, ownership turnover, and a few dozen fruitless revitalization concepts. Just four years ago, the site was mired in a fierce debate over a redevelopment plan that would see the theatre razed for a 43,000 square foot residential development; the area’s historical society ultimately staving off demolition, but failing to procure an acceptable alternative to date. As recently as this past year, the Miramar becoming the summer home for a live stage production was introduced, but a lack of interest from the city council quickly drove the idea under. Now, the city and the Miramar’s new owner face off, but neither side appears to have a concrete direction or goal in hand.

 

A far too common predicament; there is a general desire to save and honor a rare piece of history, but no party willing to invest in such an effort. As opposing sides bicker, ideas lose momentum to political indifference/budgetary concerns, and investors balk at cost estimates, the Miramar Theatre continues to decay.