The Lompoc Theatre Project (LTP) was started by a determined group of grassroots supporters in 2012. They formed a 501c3 non-profit with the sole purpose of resurrecting the historic 1927 Theater located in the center of town.

Constructed in the Mission Revival design popular at the time, it was the center of culture and entertainment in Lompoc for the theater’s first 60 years. Riddled with 1.2 million dollars of liens and debt, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work, and after a long and complicated effort, LTP finally claimed ownership of the theater in 2016.

When we finally were able to go inside, we were appalled by what we found: Falling plaster, crumbling walls and sconces, moldy and rusty chairs, asbestos, piles of debris and junk, and 10 years of pigeon guano from the 60+ pigeons who had made the Lompoc theater their home.

An unstable marquee had caused CalTrans to block off the sidewalk in front of the theater, and the City of Lompoc had red-tagged the building itself.

Undeterred, we threw ourselves into the fundraising and clean up, and our initial $300,000 Phase I was completed:

  • Deed and keys to the property secured

  • All liens and mortgages ($1,100,000) removed.

  • Invasive pigeons humanely removed, and guano mitigated.

  • All damaged plaster on auditorium walls and ceilings removed.

  • All interior mold and asbestos removed.

  • Marquee stabilized, structure and roof supports tested and analyzed, all red tags removed by CalTrans and the City of Lompoc.

  • Roof covered and all leaks mitigated.

  • All back property taxes owed by previous owners (85k) paid in full.

  • Interior of office building cleaned of all debris and damage

  • Historical artifacts discovered, preserved, and stored, including the original 1933 Mickey Mouse Club Materials, and 50’s snack shop stools and memorabilia.

  • Retail spaces renovated and rented for the first time in 25 years.

  • Exterior painted and large Murals hung.

  • Feasibility, space allocation study, and concept renderings done.

  • First architectural plans and project budget finished.

  • Capital Campaign Plan and Fundraising Strategy completed, Executive Director and grant writers hired.

  • $500,000 raised, primarily from small local donors.

  • Eligibility for The National Register of Historic places and up to $4,000,000 in federal tax credits confirmed.

Thanks to our successful Phase I, we own our building free and clear. We have tenants generating more than enough income to cover our operating costs. We have a structurally sound building, and a clean slate on which to begin our Phase II renovations.