What should be done with the Copia building?

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Monday, November 17, 2008

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By DAN ROSS
Register Online Staff

Copia Coverage

October 28th, 2009

Judge expected to approve Copia bankruptcy deal in November

October 3rd, 2009

Copia officially up for sale

August 15th, 2009

Copia bankruptcy maybe almost over

August 7th, 2009

Trespassers are run off, but birds feast on fruit at Copia

Chef’s collection moves from Copia to Smithsonian

July 26th, 2009

Copia plan goes to a vote

June 27th, 2009

Copia case moves along, with flash of anger

June 26th, 2009

Copia case moves along, with flash of anger

June 12th, 2009

A new suit in Copia case

June 7th, 2009

Hotel users may be key to revival of Copia

Tell us your ideasOfficials with Copia — The American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts — announced their intention to sell off the entity's 12-arce campus and building in Napa, located between the Oxbox Public Market and the soon-to-build Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

If you had the say, what would you put in the Copia location?

98 comment(s)

Project707 wrote on Nov 13, 2008 3:23 PM:

" Why not make it into a jail or institution since it already looks that way from the outside, perfect for the unrully tourists (see DUI monthly report) or for the guys who poisoned the dogs. "

supernova8610 wrote on Nov 13, 2008 3:58 PM:

" Turn it into an aquarium. "

bennyd wrote on Nov 13, 2008 4:02 PM:

" A convention center much like Moscone Center in San Francisco, geared to business trade shows and conventions. This is the perfect location for large companies or organizations to come here to Napa for quality time away from large cities to do productive creative thinking. The great food venues and hotels would also benefit. It is already designed for classroom type presentations. The city would also benefit with another stream of tax dollars. "

MarshaMarsha wrote on Nov 13, 2008 4:19 PM:

" Jail annex. House work furlough and inmates with minor offenses there. "

spike wrote on Nov 13, 2008 5:09 PM:

" How about the long promised movie theater we've been waiting for. Seems like a perfect location, with a lot of parking possiblities. Might help boost business downtown also. "

Dirty Napkin wrote on Nov 13, 2008 5:26 PM:

" lol "

opiniagirl wrote on Nov 13, 2008 5:31 PM:

" Host an ICE raid and use the building as temporary housing for illegal immigrants waiting to be shipped back home! "

jmo wrote on Nov 13, 2008 5:42 PM:

" Turn it into a place where up and coming/aspiring film makers and musicians can ply their trade with Francis Ford Coppala and the infamous Halls picking up the tab for the over run. "

kevin wrote on Nov 13, 2008 5:43 PM:

" The homeless need a place; but they are kind of picky so they may not want it... "

109823 wrote on Nov 13, 2008 6:25 PM:

" Opiniagirl, I like your thinking but the chances are greater that our local gov't would give the building to the illegals. "

Baraki wrote on Nov 13, 2008 6:28 PM:

" Oddly enough, I kind of like supernova's idea -- an aquarium... and I can't figure out why.

Otherwise, I think an in-season ice rink would be awesome (is there an ice season in Napa???), but impractical.

Remember when we had all those military bases shutting down back in the 90s? It must have been a major problem deciding what to do with all that land ... "

blundc wrote on Nov 13, 2008 6:47 PM:

" it's about time this town gets a good music venue. we could use it to host both national acts and local acts. it could also have good restaurants or cafes and other fun stuff since there is so much room in there. "

notshocked wrote on Nov 13, 2008 6:50 PM:

" How about a spin on bennyd's idea... a conference center? It might not be the right economic climate now (except perhaps for AIG -- wink), but Silicon Valley corporations are often looking for conference destinations. I've often come up to Silverado CC for this from the south bay. There are rooms that can be used for large groups and smaller "break outs". I would even suggest Copia approach some of the bigger, successful tech companies (Microsoft, Google, HP, Intel, Cisco) to see if they want to buy/develop such a facility. Could be for a consortium to use in various ways and you could still wrap the wine theme into it, create packages with local hotels, vintners, and other establishments.

All that said, I think there are a lot of locals that would reject this... they don't want "capitalist elite tourists" in the areas ... which I think are well reflected in all the cynical remarks so far.

Good luck! "

common sense wrote on Nov 13, 2008 6:51 PM:

" I suppose we could use another Longs Drug or Starbucks... "

misfit wrote on Nov 13, 2008 7:30 PM:

" I like Spike's and Bennyd's suggestions.
The theatre idea would be great because of the outdoor theatre venue as well. I think that is such a nice way to view a movie during the warmer months.

How about a culinary academy...can't have too many chefs. "

B-Side wrote on Nov 13, 2008 7:39 PM:

" Indoor go cart racing. "

Newview wrote on Nov 13, 2008 7:44 PM:

" Turn it into a Music center for local valley musicians and music fans. Why not where else can you go for music? "

krusty wrote on Nov 13, 2008 8:01 PM:

" I like the conference center idea too. With a number of hotels in the area, people would be able to stay nearby and walk to the conference center. Julia's Kitchen is planning to stay in the building. They could cater the events. All the surrounding businesses and the downtown area would benefit greatly from large groups of people coming to the area. Large corporations want to have retreats in areas like Napa. If they were offered competitive rates I'm sure they would stay here. "

ADark1 wrote on Nov 13, 2008 9:06 PM:

" Someone else told me they should burn it and collect on the insurance! LOL!

However, how about putting it in the hands of the regular Joe the pumbers and John the techs's hands? we couldn't do any worse! "

noblindershere wrote on Nov 13, 2008 9:48 PM:

" Community Center for theater performances, art and music. Could also be rented out for conferences. "

Paddy wrote on Nov 13, 2008 11:52 PM:

" This is deja vu... didn't this happen to the Opera House... Will Copia now sit empty for 80 years? Oh my.

How about expanding the Oxbow market venue and include an IMAX Theatre... How about Doobie Brothers and Eddie Money on the grass. Use the property for an expanded "Chef's Market" with live music.

It's a great property and it will become successful with tourists when the locals go there and start spending our money. "

hawkins707 wrote on Nov 14, 2008 12:11 AM:

" I'm going to hope as much as I can that its replacement is something that we can gripe and complain about for years to come. I've got a good feeling about this. "

wonderdog wrote on Nov 14, 2008 7:46 AM:

" lets make it a casino stripclub/bowling alley with a daycare center in it napa needs this somthing like reno with a bunny ranch. "

C'mon reg get it right wrote on Nov 14, 2008 7:58 AM:

" Let me be the first with an original idea.

Let the Indians have it to turn into a casino with the caveat that it must have a hooters and a strip club with in its walls.

Wait don't villify me yet, it should have a Chipendales(sp) to make sure the other half of our population is considered. "

whatareyouthinking wrote on Nov 14, 2008 7:59 AM:

" How bout a prison for politicians and winery owners.(if you wan't to stop the illegal's) blame them not the illegal's. "

laughingatthis wrote on Nov 14, 2008 8:05 AM:

" I say lets have the Rodeo and the Weddings and Quinceaneras there.
Rent out the halls

How about a big night club? We need some entertainment in town "

misfit wrote on Nov 14, 2008 8:27 AM:

" ADark1...Oh pleeease. "

14obama wrote on Nov 14, 2008 9:03 AM:

" Whoever said,"If it doesn't make a profit,I'll eat it" should get ready with his napkin and utensils.

Why not see how it goes after the Ritz is up n running ? "

UncleStuy wrote on Nov 14, 2008 9:20 AM:

" Turn it into a Museum, a Vistor's Center with tourist information with muliti media show of the Napa Valley history, including to present day. Have bus service for the tourist to go on tours. Use buses that have open seating up on top for summer. "

97526 wrote on Nov 14, 2008 9:32 AM:

" I Agree with Kevin....Give it to the homeless but you might need to add a pool and spa and parking for the shopping carts! "

npma wrote on Nov 14, 2008 10:08 AM:

" How about a science museum or some kind of natural history, they could incorporate the history of napa and napa wine making .The local families would have a great place to visit the tourist would have a place to learn about napas rich history and wine making both sides get something fun to do. "

MUCHOMANGOMAMA wrote on Nov 14, 2008 10:30 AM:

" WE DONT NEED TO USE OUR MONEY ON INSTITUTIONS, WE NEED PRESCHOOLS FOR OUR CHILDREN WITH WORKING CLASS PARENTS WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO PELL THRU. ITS VERY UPSETTING TO KNOW THAT THE LOW INCOME, ILLEGAL FAMILIES MANY WHOM ARE HISPANIC GET PRIORITY IN PLACING THEIR CHILDREN IN PRESCHOOLS. "

car2007 wrote on Nov 14, 2008 10:30 AM:

" I would say turn it into a youth center. Yourth violence has increase in napa due to the lack of activities available for youth. "

Jenn wrote on Nov 14, 2008 10:35 AM:

" I say move the movie theater over there. We have heard talk about moving it for how long? This would be a good loacation and ample parking, but still close enough to the downtown area. Julias Kitchen would make a killing on people wanting to do "Dinner and a movie". They could just go to one place and have the best of both worlds. "

MUCHOMANGOMAMA wrote on Nov 14, 2008 10:41 AM:

" How long does it take for comments to get reviewed and posted? ANYONE? "

skiph wrote on Nov 14, 2008 10:51 AM:

" an upscale O'Sullivans Lounge/Nightclub. "

Ruff Limblog wrote on Nov 14, 2008 11:15 AM:

" How about merging the parallel parts of the missions of Napa Expo, Napa Valley College and Copia into one agency that would make appropriate use of the properties?

I actually think the Copia building could make a very good convention venue and the Napa Valley College TV 'school' could use it as a training studio and the commercial venue could use the Napa College students for Audio/Visual support to their conventions, etc.

I've been in the auditorium and I find the idea of doing some 'productions' there tempting.

Hopefully there is space there for a 'datacenter' so that we could ask Google to come into become an anchor tennant.

Then we make Napa Valley College into a 4 year college, train up folks to join the 21st century workforce.

~Ruff "

y2kcbr wrote on Nov 14, 2008 11:16 AM:

" 1. Movie Theatre.
2. Wine Center (oh wait, that failed)

Yeah, screw the tourists, get napa a new movie theatre. "

sunny wrote on Nov 14, 2008 11:20 AM:

" I've never been in the building so I can't really speak about what would fit in exactly, but Napa could use a multi screen/Imax movie complex. Or a 24hr fitness center and maybe a 24hr cafe.
Maybe all of the above. For years I've been driving out of the county to see movies. And a 24hr fitness center is something that I might drive to. "

nunyabizness wrote on Nov 14, 2008 11:54 AM:

" Car2007 has the best idea so far. My child witnessed 2 drug overdoses in one day and a third the next. And yesterday my (same) child saw a significantly pregnant girl get beat up at school. I kind of dont want to say which school, but it was a highschool. A pretty good one too. Our kids need help. "

zomboo wrote on Nov 14, 2008 12:08 PM:

" How about a Catholic girls school, or a school for un-wed mothers?? "

mykdgirl54 wrote on Nov 14, 2008 12:17 PM:

" Has anyone ever been to the Metron in the city?

It's part mall, part museum, part movie theater, part resteraunts & coffee shops I say turn it into something like that!

However, it might be hard in this economy to get investors. Although it is "napa valley" and it's in a FAB location for tourists. But like the metron in the city, it has stuff for locals too "

yamamama wrote on Nov 14, 2008 12:27 PM:

" Doesn't the Ritz include plans for a conference center? I think it does. We don't want to have an overabundance of conference centers.

Personally, I like Ruff's idea of combining Copia with the NV College and the Expo. Perhaps Dreamweavers could find a home there as well. "

supernova8610 wrote on Nov 14, 2008 1:18 PM:

" Turn it into an indoor vineyard. "

MUCHOMANGOMAMA wrote on Nov 14, 2008 1:24 PM:

" TO ZOMBOO
Can you please explain what a school for unwed mothers would entail? "

irritated wrote on Nov 14, 2008 2:02 PM:

" Chuck E Cheese! "

mom2priceboys wrote on Nov 14, 2008 2:42 PM:

" PUT IN A PARK WITH ACCESS TO THE RIVER FOR FISHING SINCE NAPA SEEMS TO BE BUILDING ON ALL SPACES THAT ARE ACCESS TO THE RIVER BANKS "

St.Hell.comNative wrote on Nov 14, 2008 2:47 PM:

" Some of these suggestions are great! Community Center anyone? Thanks to some of you for a good laugh! "

sotolux wrote on Nov 14, 2008 3:10 PM:

" Have the county move out of its ugly 1st street building and into the Copia building. Establish a community arts and lecture series. Raze the 1st Street county buildings and put in something that is more amenable to downtown area, amenities like a grocery store, pharmacy, etc. "

AKNRA wrote on Nov 14, 2008 3:35 PM:

" Glad to see Copia go under; I never did think it would succeed. I mean, really… it represented the worst snobbery of the left I have seen in the county to date. “Center for the Ahts” dahling… I suggest that the owners turn it into the Barak Hussein Obama museum of the American Marxist, as a lasting memorial and tribute to the ascension of our first socialist President, and in-depth study of how inept the American voter really is. Failing that, I agree to selling it to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement bureau as a detention center for illegal aliens and their illegal families. OR, return it to the wetlands that were there before evil man came by... "

notshocked wrote on Nov 14, 2008 3:58 PM:

" Once again, lack of true moderation and screening has taken this valid subject to lowest lows. Many of these comments are far from constructive and continue to be wrought with negativity. Many of the community of bloggers has demonstrated true immaturity. Happy to see failure -- what is wrong with these people? Continued hate and fear mongering for the false statements about Prez-E-Obama -- GET OVER IT!

I realize this is not fully on topic, but should have as good a chance as many others to get published. "

mom2priceboys wrote on Nov 14, 2008 4:04 PM:

" Wow muchomangomamma i am suprised that they let your comments through!!! Good Job!!! "

MUCHOMANGOMAMA wrote on Nov 14, 2008 5:22 PM:

" WELL mom2priceboys its because its true. We need to be advocates for our children. Enough is enough I tell ya!!!!! "

crusher09 wrote on Nov 14, 2008 6:04 PM:

" Keep Copia,I've been there once,and ♥ it now seeing it as Im coming as age to drink it would be nice place to be able to go,otherwise theres nothing in this town for teen or young alduts to do.Sure getting a job but what about the type of place to go to after or on days off?
cause look at it right and look at this its a place for young adults to go and see cooking and everything about wine.
so if the bulding is closed then it should be put into a cooking school for the people in Napa to go and see. "

opiniateen wrote on Nov 14, 2008 6:07 PM:

" A youth center would be amazing. We could have a peer to peer program, host the youth coucil, tutoring, gymnasium, classes, computer center and dance club! In partnership with the youth and run by youth! "

Yikes wrote on Nov 14, 2008 7:01 PM:

" Definitely something for the youth and their parents, maybe family memberships Indoor soccer field, ice rink, swimming pool, movie theater, pool tables, raquetball courts with sports shop and cafe with good coffee drinks and smoothies. You know we need a facility like that in Napa. "

Winewoman wrote on Nov 14, 2008 9:10 PM:

" I like Ruffs idea of Napa JC using the facility and expanding the current campus to a 4 year college. "

yamamama wrote on Nov 14, 2008 9:12 PM:

" The community needs a larger library - why not move the main library to the Copia location, and the County offices can expand into the old library location. As a part of the Library, the grounds, theater, meeting rooms, etc., would all be available for the public to use. "

krusty wrote on Nov 14, 2008 9:57 PM:

" NVC already has a small culinary school established in St. Helena at their small upvalley campus. What if they were to move it into the Copia building along with some other departments? The current Julia's Kitchen space could be a restaurant run by students enrolled in the culinary school. A horticulture department could also be located there with the remaining garden area used by students. The garden to kitchen set up already used by Julia's Kitchen could remain in place. Students in the horticulture department grow the fruits and vegetables the students in the culinary department use in the kitchen. "

Jane wrote on Nov 14, 2008 10:43 PM:

" AKNRA...I enjoy your comments, as i do all of the above, but I ask all of those who offer up the "Hussein" argument as a threat to our country...
If this country were to use the name of a candidate for president as a means to elect him for president, then history would teach you that in 1776 King George was the the USA's public enemy number one, and yet. somehow, "George" Washington was elected president.
Hmmmm....makes you think. "

zomboo wrote on Nov 15, 2008 12:03 AM:

" MUCHOMANGOMAMA, a place where pregnant girls, can feel safe going to school, have some medical care there, counciling, parenting classes, adoption options, job training, nutrition classes, and the girls can live there, if there is a conflict at home. "

vocal-de-local wrote on Nov 15, 2008 12:28 AM:

" I can hardly believe no one has thought of this one yet - a U.C. Davis Extension with viticulture as a focus. Definitely something educational would be appropriate. I think old man Mondovi would have liked this idea. The challenge would be providing housing for students, though. But the property would continue on with its original mission on some level. "

misfit wrote on Nov 15, 2008 5:54 AM:

" Definately something educational. However, where would the money come from and how would it make money? It would be great if it were a magnet school. I do think that whatever happens to it, that it should benefit the citizens of Napa in some way. "

AKNRA wrote on Nov 15, 2008 8:34 AM:

" Jane, thank you for valuing my diversity; do any of you remember when we heard nothing BUT Hillary Rodham Clinton? Or Martin Luther King? Or Franklin Delano Roosevelt? Why ARE some people SO upset when a fellow citizen uses the president elect's full, real name? Why shouldn't it be used? I do not understand the fear you have when it is mentioned. Please, educate me. By the way, "Barak Hussein Obama!" "

Obijoekanobi wrote on Nov 15, 2008 11:53 AM:

" Years ago when it was being built someone wrote the editor to say that Robert Mondavi was having it built so he could have his wine business there. I guess that that won't happen. My question is after it is sold does the city get some of the money back or will it have to pay more for conssions to get someone else in there. "

cab e-girl wrote on Nov 16, 2008 8:30 PM:

" Convention center by day for revenue purposes. Center for fundraisers and activities to benefit Napa citizens by night. Toss in one weekend a month for concerts and special events that are revenue generating as well. This is a beautiful center with enormous potential. "

jpnapa1961 wrote on Nov 17, 2008 7:28 AM:

" According to the Obama agenda Copia should be turned into free housing for the homeless. Import additional homeless street people from Vallejo and get them on on Napa's payroll. Free housing, medical ,food and entertainment. "

harvest wrote on Nov 17, 2008 7:31 AM:

" As far as a place youth can go where they can be surrounded by trained staff in a safe enviroment and be engaged in positive activities, homework help, bla,bla,bla..that already exists. It's called Boys & Girls Clubs on Pueblo ave. There are programs for children 6-18 and nobody is turned away. So the space should really become PF Changs or how bout a ninja warrior obstacle course gym we can join as an alternative to the "norm" "

selim wrote on Nov 17, 2008 8:06 AM:

" I like the convention center idea. There are a ton of various professional conferences that would be well suited for that site in terms of capacity. It would help fill up the numerous hotel rooms sprouting up as well as giving Napa greater exposure to a demographic that may not normally consider the Napa Valley a "vacation destination".

Although I'd love to see a better theater, a roller/ice rink, and a number of the other ideas mentioned here, turning Copia into a convention center would require much less renovation and initial capital expenditure to get the facility up speed. After all, for a modern convention center, you need electricity, HVAC, broadband, and catering facilities. The place is 95% there already. "

AO1982 wrote on Nov 17, 2008 11:41 AM:

" Man, I've heard some stupid ideas before but some of these top that list. I wont mention which ones are rediculous, but the 2 best ones are our new movie theatre and and a conference center. Those two could potentially generate the most revenue. Music and arts do not fit Napa, they never have and why would they now??? An aquarium was a great thought too. "

msdemo wrote on Nov 17, 2008 12:28 PM:

" I'm not crazy about the auditorium for productions. The stage area is too small. It might be a better site for the Museum at the Vets home. Easier parking, more central to downtown,

I will miss Friday Nite Flicks - we do need a theatre that plays movies for people over 13. "

zuufa wrote on Nov 17, 2008 1:02 PM:

" maybe make it a center for activities for the youth. A get together for little league volleyball, etc... meeting center sort of thing. "

cheezcakemaker wrote on Nov 17, 2008 2:03 PM:

" Have you ever seen a high-tech campus with lots of fancy buildings down in the Silicon Valley? The COPIA building would fit right in. The designer tried to make a Silicon Valley office building into a tourist trap in the Napa Valley. How does that work? In addition, the floor plan is a huge waste of space.
There are so many ideas on this blog for this reason: The COPIA building is functionally obsolete. It will not serve any one single purpose/business/function/use. It will have to serve as multiple uses but it cannot meet those needs in its current state/configuration/floorplan. The building needs to be torn down or remodeled to ever be functional for future uses.
A great mixed use idea for the COPIA building is to replicate the project on 3rd and Main. Private residences/hotel on top, Retail/COPIA/Museum/Theatres/Conference Center in the middle and underground parking.
I wonder who will pay enough to cover COPIA’s massive debt load and then have to tear down the building. Longshot. "

juls wrote on Nov 17, 2008 5:38 PM:

" The convention center idea sounds great. But Julia's Kitchen staying does not. It is always empty because of the un-interested attitude the serving staff has. I have eaten there three times and wont be going back. The main course plates hang over the table edge by two inches. "

wipemedown wrote on Nov 17, 2008 6:16 PM:

" 1- Unemployment Center

2- Planned Parenthood

3- Smog Station

4- A bar where you can drink to excess/spill someones drink and blame it on someone else/insult someone you dont know/cheat on your boy/girlfriend/puke in the bathroom and go get another drink

5- A casino with those machines where you put it a dollar and win four quarters. "

recmom wrote on Nov 18, 2008 7:52 AM:

" How about a community center, theatre and cultural center? I can't think of a better space.. Access to the river, the existing gardens. Space to make classrooms and a gym... There is huge opportunity there. "

jeepracer10 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 10:12 AM:

" How about make it the new City Hall? I mean look at the old outdated City Hall, its time for an upgrade. Plus you could move a lot of the city services to the same location and sell off the old buildings to make some $ "

AO1982 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 1:06 PM:

" Y.M.C.A. "

JimClark wrote on Nov 18, 2008 2:03 PM:

" Tear it down and let Napa be NAPA!!! "

sv06 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 5:04 PM:

" I agree with B-side. Indoor go-karts!!! "

BILL wrote on Nov 19, 2008 2:46 PM:

" Sell it to Kieth Rogal "

B-Side wrote on Nov 19, 2008 6:59 PM:

" American Flag factory. Oh wait.....they make those in China. Never mind. "

skippert wrote on Nov 20, 2008 7:21 AM:

" If you want to make money turn it into a casino/brothel. "

St.Hell.comNative wrote on Nov 20, 2008 2:56 PM:

" BILL, great idea. Then he can fit in 1500 "low income housing" units to "satisfy the state"! Thanks for the laugh. "

dominus wrote on Nov 20, 2008 10:29 PM:

" How about an animal rescue? But why limit it to dogs and cats? We could include horses, lots of pigs and rats, elephants, giraffes, a few gorillas and cheetahs, you know pretty much any kind of animal that needs a home. We don't have to be too fussy. We could put sawdust down on the floor and give it a real "homegrown" kind of feel. If not that, how about an airplane hangar? Or how about one of those hermetically sealed biospheres? "

napanabroad wrote on Nov 21, 2008 12:42 AM:

" You can forget a movie theatre. Rarely are conversions made in the business, it is generally too expensive with changing the architectural design and the developer is the one who pays. It is not comercially viable in Napa either, with the population. An Imax alone is a huge money loser.

Here is an idea, how about sell it and let the buyer decide what is commercially viable. Gov run businesses are not the answer, but we will find that out in the next few years when America begins to look a lot more like China than America. "

winecountrygetaways wrote on Nov 21, 2008 8:36 AM:

" Copia or some other organization should create the ultimate wine museum. I posted several ideas regarding the development of theme centers sponsored by the big wine companies. You can see complete details at this address: thenapavalleywineblog.com
Joe "

MikeZ wrote on Nov 22, 2008 7:12 AM:

" It's soooooo simple! UCAL Davis should set up an extension facility there as their "Napa" digs. works for everyone!! "

Napoli wrote on Nov 23, 2008 12:01 PM:

" Get real!
a) Copia does not control the sale. That would be the bond insurance company.
b) Anyone who buys the property will want to maximize the return and will do whatever is most economically viable within the parameters allowed by the City. Does the City really want to be too tough on a potential buyer and have that fenced-off, weed-infested lot for several years?
c) The insurance company will sell to the highest bidder because they stand to lose at least $30-40 million after they make the bond holders whole. "

LoveOfNapa wrote on Nov 23, 2008 2:10 PM:

" The Best idea is to turn it into a Culinary School so people dont have to travel all the way to St. Helena to go to the CIA..Make it a film school or multi movie complex. Or what everyone has been crying for all these years..A great place for our you to go, with an indoor skateboard park, basketball courts, rollerskating rink...Designed with grafitte art done by the kids.. "

common sense wrote on Nov 24, 2008 8:13 AM:

" If run properly, an art and music school would do well...even in these trying times. "

Annabella wrote on Nov 24, 2008 7:28 PM:

" It seems to be a sign of the times that the locals resent all the money spent on this white elephant for the purpose of drawing tourists to the vineyards who had done little but destroy the true peace, tranquility and beauty of the Valley. That said I think it should be turned over as a place for the homeless and illegals to pitch their tents for the coming winter. It will be empty. Use it for something helpful and useful. Who knows, in this economy you may find it overcrowed with all the foreclosures. "

overthehill wrote on Nov 25, 2008 3:15 AM:

" While there have been some interesting alternatives suggested, plus some that offer a little humor, the real problem is the $78 million outstanding.
How did that happen, and were all of the contributor donations collected?
A $432,000 (estimated) per month mortgage payment is a huge pill for anyone to swallow, now add the utilities, insurance, maintenance, etc., required before you make a dime. This created an ill conceived project from the very beginning without 1) the building paid for or 2) a huge endowment. "

surfdogge69 wrote on Nov 26, 2008 8:33 AM:

" The movie theater idea won't fly. The renovations would be too expensive, although the existing theater could be put to better use. The convention center is the best alternative because it is already set up for this. BennyD's idea is the best. BlundC- unfortunately Napa citizens traditionaly do not support good music venues because they won't pay the $$ necissary to attract the artists that want hight $$ for their talent. Opera House Boz Scaggs was different because he used the venue to rehearse and record for new CD and tour. See what happens to Mondavi and Lincoln theater also. People just won't pay the prices. Skip--Bleaux Magnolia is trying to renovate OLD O'Sullivans but City is fighting them because they don't want nightclub type bars here. They are balking on them until the ABC/Caberet permit expires in a couple of months. Once that expires it is lost and cannot be renewed. Napa's police and politiians playing that loophole to squash another club venue.. "

samaker wrote on Nov 29, 2008 9:55 AM:

" I think the building should be divided into a mixed use facility. It is a large enough building to offer a number of services, including restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. This way, the whole place would not have to be successful to keep the doors open, because I just can't see this happening. If a number of businesses leased space in the building, it is unlikely that all would fail at once, forcing an untimely, unprofessional closure. Some businesses would strive in there, while others would not do so well. As one small business failed, another one could come in to take its place. "

samaker wrote on Nov 29, 2008 9:57 AM:

" Something similar to San Francisco's Metreon. "

4466 wrote on Dec 1, 2008 10:45 AM:

" As several have suggested a movie venue would be terrific for the City of Napa. The current movie venue is not a place I would visit. "

5th generation napan wrote on Dec 2, 2008 12:37 PM:

" Keep it with the same concept it was built for, only keep it practical.
Make it the west coast home version of the "Food Network". Have local Chefs Compete with each other. Offer cooking and Ag classes that can all be Televised on channel 28. Turn the building into a "Napa Valley Experience". Have the museum showcase a history of the Napa Agriculture. (yes, even before 1974 wineries there was Agriculture here). Have the "Art GAllery" showcase local artist with the food and wine theme, forget the "New York Style" garbage they had, Make it contemporary Local artist. Have classes, seminars, demonstrations and "ADVERTISE" around the Bay area. Turn it into "The Napa Valley Experience". Give it a defined purpose. AND Keep the Friday nite flicks! "

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