Dissecting Plan THREE

The 3 Plans
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Since then, this plan seems to get pulled out and hoisted up every time there is any sort of criticism of Plan TWO, which destroys the Highland Theater for 25 parking spaces. While at first Plan THREE seems to have certain tempting features, a closer inspection reveals that this plan will cost more while delivering less than even the misguided Plan TWO.

What The Heck Is A "Cafetorium"?

These days, schools are not allowed to build fixed seat auditoriums with state funds. Such rooms have been replaced with what is referred to as a "cafetorium." These are mutli-purpose rooms, combining the gym and cafeteria with a stage and portable chairs. They are designed for versatility, not to simulate a "theater experience." When a performance of some type is planned, they roll away a temporary wall between the gym and cafeteria and then line up chairs facing the stage.

The basic idea behind Plan THREE is that the school is placed on the north end of the its lot and its cafetorium is attached to the original facade of the Theater. Like Plan TWO, the auditorium portion of the Theater is demolished. It is unclear how much, if any, of the interior of the Highland Theater's lobby area will preserved.

The combined lobby and cafetorium space would then have the option of being used by the public for non-school events. It is unclear who will be making the decision on what type of events will be approved and if these events will allow alcohol to be served.

Does Anyone Smell Fish? Red Herring Perhaps?

Usually statements of support of plan THREE are accompanied with the implication that it provides an expanded facility for the students. To the contrary, there is no evidence in the schematics that Plan THREE provides any additional square footage. What is true is that ALL PLANS include a cafetorium — they are fairly typical features incorporated in the new schools. The only thing that Plan THREE provides beyond the other two is a lobby out to Market Street, complete with its nearby bars and through traffic.

In fact, the true purpose of this plan raises many questions. Does the school really need a lobby on their cafeteria? Does the public really need another big room full of portable chairs? Is this really the "compromise" between the two sides that it is frequently touted as?

Or is this a chance for us to bring in another fish metaphor — the old "bait and switch." Is anyone wondering what happened to our grocery store? Eventually we may find it somewhere in Tijuana hanging out with our promised cafetorium lobby while asphalt is being laid for 25 parking spaces...

Plan THREE Parking: Making A Bad Problem Even Worse

A quick look at the plan THREE schematic shows that all of the parking has been moved to the south end of the school's lot, providing no relief to the Square's parking woes whatsoever. In fact, Plan THREE actually contributes to the parking problem even more by placing the entrance to a public facility on Market Street while moving all parking to the far south side of the school.

So where do the attendees of the cafetorium park? In the school's parking lot? If so, then why even bother to connect it the Theater's Market Street entrance? Perhaps the owner of the buildings across the street is planning on loaning some of his spaces when there an event at the cafetorium...

Let Me Introduce You To My Landlord, the City

One touted element of Plan THREE is that by preserving the facade, you preserve the character of the Square. Beyond the fact that a 70 year old facade fronting a cafeteria has the cultural substance of Planet Hollywood, supporters of Plan THREE seem to ignore another element of Highland Square's character: our ecletic shops.

The building that houses the Highland Theater's lobby also holds a shoe repair shop and a vintage record store. What happens to these businesses once the City or School takes ownership of the building? Could they realistically survive a rent hike? Has there been any consideration for their future or will they be secondary casualties of "development."

Do The Math: Like Plan TWO On Steroids

The estimated purchase cost of demolishing the Theater for use as the 25 space parking lot in Plan TWO came in at just over $750,000. All of these costs still apply to Plan THREE because it also requires the demolition of the Theater's auditorium. Plan THREE, however, requires the additional purchase of the portion of the building that houses the lobby and the two businesses, estimated at around $150,000.

So, once the renovations are completed to the interior of the building, the estimate is closing in on a cool million dollars. That's right, for just a million dollars, you could have 18 parking spaces and a lobby on your cafeteria.

Wait, 18 Parking Spaces? What Happened To 25?

Oh yeah, that's the real absurd thing about Plan THREE: it costs more than Plan TWO, but actually provides LESS PARKING. (Of course, that is, once you get past the fact that the parking is in not in a useful location anyway.)

A Solution That Makes More Sense

If you haven't yet, please take a moment to read our parking plan. It single-handedly solves the parking issues for both the school and the Square, without sacrificing the Theater, any businesses or a single square foot of building space for the students... and it cost less than Plan THREE.