Painstaking work to upgrade the Uptown

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Thursday, July 16, 2009

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By George Altamura

Downtown Napa coverage

November 8th, 2009

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October 16th, 2009

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The essay from Joe Turner (“Its past time to fill downtown’s empty spaces,” July 6), which does not mention me by name, exercises the right we Americans enjoy of speaking our mind freely in a public forum. However, Turner has used innuendoes and suppositions in the place of facts.

To illustrate, he states that the Uptown Theater is in the category of properties that “crumble” and “decay.” He “knows” this, he writes, because he “walks by every few days and peeks inside.”

Had he made a simple inquiry, he would have discovered the following: Over the past two years, the theater’s magnificent ceiling murals were restored. Four master artists — whose works are known around the world — undertook the restoration when it was discovered that the Uptown’s original ceiling murals were still intact underneath three layers of paint.

Every square inch of the ceiling of the Uptown has undergone a transformation. Careful removal of the paint overlaying the murals was accomplished. Workers then photographed and prepared meticulous drawings of the ceiling to get a highly detailed picture of the murals before repainting.

It was necessary to install a complicated scaffold that rose 35 feet above the floor of the theater. A platform atop the scaffolding gave the artists a place to stand while they painted the murals over the 10,000-square-foot ceiling surface. Magnificent replica chandeliers were added to enhance the elegance of the theater.

Before this could begin, workers dismantled four theaters, from floor to ceiling, that the former owner had built within the main structure.

Restoration work is not like demolishing a building with a wrecking ball and then rebuilding it. To preserve a structure requires the work of many meticulous craftsmen who must work in phases. All 1,350 16-inch theater seats were removed and replaced with plush 22-inch wide seats. (Although it will reduce the capacity of the theater by 500, all 850 patrons will now have luxury seating). The old stage was made much larger. These phases alone required more than a year and a half to complete and were necessary before the mural restoration could begin.

At some point in the theater’s history someone “modernized” the exterior by cladding it with metal siding, which was removed. In order to restore the original art deco that it covered, it was necessary to repair literally thousands of holes. The entire building was then re-plastered, re-painted, re-tiled and returned to its original splendor.

When the Uptown is finished, it will be the showplace of downtown Napa.

Had Turner placed my development of properties in its proper context, he would have learned that the theater’s opening was intended to coincide with the opening of hotels like the Ritz-Carlton and the several-mile-long river walk. As everyone knows, the Ritz has been placed on hold because of the economic downturn. It is unknown when the river walk will be completed, although it was supposed to be finished in 2005.

In any event, notwithstanding the expense of the Uptown renovation (reaching millions of dollars), it will not be opened until it is completed. I would also point out that it would indeed have become a “blight” had I not purchased it. By now it would have started to disintegrate and would be just another empty old theater, useless for anything except perhaps the wrecking ball or a flea market.

Turner’s rhetoric, although intended to inflame the people of Napa‚ substitutes innuendo for facts. Perhaps he believes I would not respond merely because he has chosen not to mention my name. For his future reference, my name is George Altamura.

(Altamura lives in Napa.)

59 comment(s)

steph wrote on Jul 16, 2009 12:19 AM:

" Nice letter, Mr. Altamura. How nice that you're restoring a treasured piece of history. I hope you'll have a display inside the building that details the work, the un-doing of the theater's history of remodeling, much of which sounds like it was out of the building's true character, but which is an interesting story nonetheless. It's nice to have evidence of your committment to the downtown. "

krusty wrote on Jul 16, 2009 12:48 AM:

" First, Mr. Altamura, I don't understand how the replacement of seats and increasing the size of the stage would take a year and a half to complete. If the effort were put forth, it would take much less time to complete. Having worked in a cineplex during a renovation, I've seen a lot more completed in a lot less time.

Second, if the Uptown will be "the showplace of downtown Napa" why do you need the Ritz-Carlton in order to be succesful? The showplace of downtown Napa should have no problem drawing crowds if it is indeed the showplace of downtown Napa (and I do believe it would be).

The downtown area of Napa is growing more and more everyday. Numerous hotels have also opened in downtown in the time the Uptown has been under "renovation" and the river walk section in downtown has been completed for nearly one year. The Riverfront project is also slated to open very soon.

We all know the difference between a succesful and unsuccesful Uptown theater does not rest on the opening of a single Ritz-Carlton hotel. There has been the necessary support for the Uptown Theater for years. To paraphrase a favorite movie of mine, if you open it, they will come. We're tired of the excuses, Mr. Altamura. We want to see results. "

rpcv wrote on Jul 16, 2009 6:20 AM:

" George, we all look forward eagerly to the re-opening of the Uptown. It will be magnificent. "

Exasperated wrote on Jul 16, 2009 7:29 AM:

" Yes, we get it. We saw the article in the Register with the pull quote, "the ceiling is the wow."
BUT.....what about all the other buildings in downtown Napa that lie empty? Nice how you skirted around that one, George. "

fmmt47 wrote on Jul 16, 2009 7:29 AM:

" Hey George, ignore him. The work that has been completed on the Uptown theater so far is first class...can't wait till it opens, I spent a lot of time there as a kid. "

Ruff Limblog wrote on Jul 16, 2009 7:40 AM:

" I have a couple of questions, Mr. Altamura.

1) Was the Uptown flooded the last time we had the downtown underwater?

If so, we should recognize that completion of the Flood Control project is a 'gate' that should be completed before any reasonable person should expect huge investments in downtown real estate that might be inundated.

2) Is there any way to have a safe tour of the renovation work at the Uptown?

What you had said makes me very eager to see the beauty and I hope that somebody has been doing a photographic log of the way it used to look originally, versus the 'divided' theater and the newly restored theater.

My dad used to say, "Help me rise through enterprise above the guys who criticize and minimize!"

~Ruff "

JustAnotherManicMonday wrote on Jul 16, 2009 7:41 AM:

" And just how many years has the Uptown been closed, George? Our point, as locals, is that you own numerous lots in downtown Napa that are not open for business- they just sit and languish. They are an eyesore. I think Joe Turner was right on during his assessment. And are you putting millions into any other properties downtown? Hmm.... your record speaks for itself George. And it's not looking good. "

napachickengirl wrote on Jul 16, 2009 8:24 AM:

" I really look forward to the new theater when it opens- we will be the first in line. Thanks George! And to the vocal minority who have commented about the other properties- the last I heard we live in a free enterprise economy. That means that anyone can purchase property and do whatever they want with it- and that waiting until a property development is economically feasible makes good business sense. Those few people who disaprove of this economic philosophy are welcome to put their money where their mouths are and buy these aging properties themselves when they are offered for sale. "

kkjp wrote on Jul 16, 2009 8:27 AM:

" Joe Turner's criticisms were legitimate:
2001 - Altamura buys Uptown, says it'll open in 2002;
2002 - Pushes opening off to 2003;
2003 - Cites "design issues" as reason work has come to a halt, claims Aug. 1 opening;
2004 - Plywood still covers windows of the blighted building while neighboring businesses complain of trashed site;
2005 - Altamura refusing to complete renovation saying Napa isn't ready to support the theater;
And the excuses continue year after year.
2009's Excuse of the Year is he's waiting for the Ritz. Anyone see a pattern here after 9 years? "

kkjp wrote on Jul 16, 2009 8:34 AM:

" After 9 years of empty promises, the Uptown remains shuttered and the excuses continue. Joe Turner was right.

After up to 15 years in some cases, other key downtown properties that Altamura has acquired remain shuttered, neglected eyesores. (He didn't address that issue in his letter.)

That is not innuendo, Mr. Altamura, that is fact, and Joe Turner was right. "

Sandra wrote on Jul 16, 2009 8:39 AM:

" I remember the original ceilings at the Uptown Theater. They were magnificant, and I was appalled when they were originally painted over. I would expect returning them to their former glory was not an easy task, and would be very time consuming. I am so glad you took that chore on. I am sure it will be worth the wait.
But, you do own many properties downtown that remain empty. Have you considered LOWERING the rents to attract new businesses? Or is there something else going on with these properties that keeps them from being leased? "

noblindershere wrote on Jul 16, 2009 8:40 AM:

" nice try Altamura....I'm as local as it gets and I see the Uptown catering to locals not the people staying at our local hotels. It does not take 10 years to renovate a buiding considering the investors involved. YOu have missed out on getting quality talent booked at this venue. I see this location attracting great musicians, allowing for local acting groups to perform and so much more...get on with it. How much more do we have to beg???? Your other buildings downtown are borderline blythe and you know it. Roll up your sleeves and get down to business, local business that will help the community that you so value.

I have a suggestion, go have lunch with Mr. Price and allow him to be your mentor, everything he touches turns to gold, maybe you can learn something. "

sprklsunshine wrote on Jul 16, 2009 9:00 AM:

" Still not holding my breath . . . "

amazed wrote on Jul 16, 2009 9:45 AM:

" Hey, look, the Register printed the political cartoon at the bottom of the page today!

If anybody believes what George had to say, I've got a dock for sale on Third Street. "

Conservativemom wrote on Jul 16, 2009 9:52 AM:

" Thanks for the update Mr. Altamura. For those of you mouthing off - if you can do a better faster job purchase it and put your time and money where your mouth is. Ditto for everything else people complain about that isn't getting done by their expectations, buy it and get busy. "

Joe wrote on Jul 16, 2009 9:59 AM:

" I'm glad Mr Altamura has not lowered his prices for his empty buildings just to please citizens of Napa. Obviously he isn't hurting for money very bad. If some of you people want to see these buildings open for business why don't you rent or lease one of them and open a business? Maybe if the city would have let Mr Altamura build the hotel he wanted to near Silverado Trail and Trancas he would be more willing to compromise about other issues such as the empty buildings and the Uptown. I would also like to see the name of the Uptown be changed. I'm sure that would please many of these complaining Napkins. "

jmo wrote on Jul 16, 2009 10:17 AM:

" Krusty and kkjp were spot on...I know know bill smitty when I read it.

Exactly how long does it take to build a stage? I have walked by there many a morning and when the side door is open looked in...it is like watcing paint dry. "

Rob C wrote on Jul 16, 2009 10:29 AM:

" Nothing more than rhetorical misdirect.

That Altamura continues to pour money into his 'monument' in no way addresses the issue at hand.

What is instructive is the subtext of the missive. If this is his best response - a rambling defense of perceived persecution, Napa's only hope is that the estates next generation has something more substantial to say. "

KelzMom wrote on Jul 16, 2009 10:39 AM:

" George,

My heart breaks as I walk through downtown Napa and the empty store fronts. It sounds like you have good plans, and good intentions. Could you please continue to keep Napa updated via the Register on what the progress is for these properties?

I enjoyed reading about the Uptown theater renovations. It gives me hope. I can't wait for it to re-open so I can take my son there to enjoy movies as I did when I was young.

Just keep Napans updated on progress. If we don't know, we just assume the worse. "

reason-ator wrote on Jul 16, 2009 10:50 AM:

" I understand the criticism of Mr. Altamura.

But I gotta say, he was much more polite that I would be if people were telling me what to do with my money and property. It's none of my business what HE does.

But then, I don't care very much about Downtown Napa. "

amazed wrote on Jul 16, 2009 10:50 AM:

" Joe, you're absolutely right, let's let Altamura build whatever he wants, wherever he wants, so he stops holding downtown hostage. How about a parking garage and a free pony, too?

And George, don't forget about the lawsuit over the inferior projectors which were delivered. When was that, 2003?

Coppola was smart enough to get out of this fiasco early. "

renrut wrote on Jul 16, 2009 10:52 AM:

" i applaud the promises that the Uptown will be magnificent. The fact is, I have applauded these promises since 2002. Over and over in the Register and in person. That's why there is a temptation to continue my skepticism.
And, what happens when it is completed? Based on GA's comments about the costs, it would take a full house for a hundred years to break even. Plus, no dressing rooms, backstage, etc. I am Joe Turner "

Paddy wrote on Jul 16, 2009 10:52 AM:

" More excuses from the master of excuses. This is a nine year project because the tax write-off is of more value than the theatre itself in his eyes.

I don't believe you buy a theatre unless you're willing to selflessly operate it (assuming it's ever opened), it won't make you wealthy. I don't see Mr. Altamura as that kind of guy. "

Cadence wrote on Jul 16, 2009 10:56 AM:

" Idea - if we promise to rename Napa "Altamuraville," then will you try and fill the other empty buildings that you own? "

Dayjob wrote on Jul 16, 2009 11:01 AM:

" I think some of the reader confuse "theatre" with "movie theatre". I believe the plan is to use the Uptown as a venue, not a movie house. Locals will not be enough to support the ticket price for live acts. Out of town visitors will be the target audience. "

napasfinest wrote on Jul 16, 2009 11:25 AM:

" I applaud George Altamura. Take as long as you want. Make that theater glamourous. It is after all, your building. These are just more bitter Napa citizens trying to tell people what to do with their properties. Like George said, if he never bought it, it would have been demolished and probably become a few more pointless mom and pop stores, teetering on failure. And if George is making huge amounts from tax write-offs, good for him. I would do the same thing. This is America. Capitalism at its finest. George, don't open the Uptown until you are good and ready. I think these people fail to realize that the economy is the worst it has been in 75 years. If he opened the theater now, it would fail. Wait for the Ritz. And just remember that you'll be the one laughing, not these people. "

5th generation napan wrote on Jul 16, 2009 11:38 AM:

" Not accounting for your city center holdings which I do believe you have over priced rent and drove out some local small businesses.

I can accept the time and money spent on the restoration of the Uptown. That is not a Cinadome theater. I dont believe many people remember the murals on the ceilings, and if you were able to accomplish a "true" restoration of that original ceiling that would have been an accomplishment of love. There are only a few theaters left in the country like this one. It was built in the hey day of ornamentation. I'm really sorry the old Fox / Hippodome is gone, but that was torn down in the 1940's I believe, and I am so glad this one has survived.
People have no clue what it takes to do a recovery project like this.
In this case if its half of what you say George this will be a unique asset to Napa, a claim only a couple of city could even make.
I hope you even get atleast close to the original stained glass lights that use to be there. I never really knew who got them or where they went to.
I think people will be pleasantly supprised.
That is a great idea expanding the stage. My mom and her sister use to see stage plays there in the 20 and 30's.
Guess I have a soft spot for the uptown, my aunt was in the first group of usheretts hired there when it opened.
Hopefully when its opened it will be supported and remain open.

Good luck, now lets fill up the down town. Maybe offer a heaft discount for local businesses as an incentive. "

roodog wrote on Jul 16, 2009 1:23 PM:

" Well said 5th generation napan. I was fortunate to know a lovely lady who played piano at the Uptown back in the silent era. She raved about the beauty of that theater in it's early days. So let George take his time and do it right.
But George, with regard to your other holdings, you could be part of something really good here in downtown Napa. Why not lower your rents for a short time for people with viable business plans? Why not become a leader and mentor to young, or not-so-young, entrepeneurs that have good ideas but need a little help to get going? I can't believe you got started without a little help from someone... "

Ruff Limblog wrote on Jul 16, 2009 1:28 PM:

" George, sure enough the carpers jumped all over you.

One day they are caterwauling because the county wants to tell some developers what they can not do in the Ag Preserve.

The next week they are jumping on your case because you aren't doing things in downtown Napa to suit them.

They won't be happy no matter what you do, or, don't do.

To make a New Testament reference, "Wipe the dust off your feet."

I'd sure like to hear when it will be time to 'Come Take A LOOK!'

~Ruff "

suze wrote on Jul 16, 2009 1:53 PM:

" Thanks for the info George, I am somewhat pacified now.
I used to enjoy the Uptown back when it was a flea pit of a theater. If you didn't mind roasting or freezing while you watched, it used to show the alternative choice of movies. I have to ride out of town nowadays to see anything other than the usual teen aimed trash shown at -(you know where.)

I have high hopes the Uptown will indeed be a showpiece in Napa, catering to some of the more arts oriented types.

It is also a sad lack of perspective that has delayed or maybe even cancelled the river path. A dock with boating together with a nice riparian rambling path would go a long way to add a little more glamour to the town, which has had a river oriented history in the past.

If the river was played up for the tourists, maybe we could get a few to stop by and pop into some of the stores. "

krusty wrote on Jul 16, 2009 2:06 PM:

" It is a sad irony that the man claiming he's been waiting for the development of the downtown area to open his theater is the same man who owns numerous empty storefronts. You have more power than anyone to bring the people to downtown, Mr. Altamura. "

Rob C wrote on Jul 16, 2009 2:37 PM:

" Mr. Altumura writes: 'it will not be opened until it is completed.'

Yep, and it won't be complete until it opens.

So amidst all the words and poster's trips down memory lane, the answer to either proposition is still unknown, isn't it?

Finish something you start, sir, then maybe words will carry weight and the redemption you seek will materialize. "

Jenn wrote on Jul 16, 2009 6:23 PM:

" I look foward to being about to take a step back and see the uptown for what it was when my mom was growing up. Me, I just remember the theaters, nothing really special about it.

My only gripe is that its been so long. We are working on what, 10 years? Last movie that I saw there was The Sixth Sense (1999) to help date it. Im sorry but waiting on the riverwalk or Ritz isnt a valid excuse in my book. All us locals would like to be able to enjoy, so why do we need to wait on things that attract the tourists? Give us updates on progress, a real opening date that doesnt keep being pushed off more into the future, and I think you would have more of a backing from everyone here. "

napacabdriver wrote on Jul 16, 2009 8:10 PM:

" Mr.Altumura,
Thank you for your update.
Art takes time, take all you need.I for one might like to have news about how things are going from time to time. "

ORYGON wrote on Jul 16, 2009 8:20 PM:

" I remember the old uptown of the late 40's and 50's back when the fox theater was still open. For a small town like Napa it was a great to have a gathering spot for the kids on saturday and later as a teen it was a great date spot.
All that being said I have a special reason I would like to see the theater finished. In November of 1960 I met my wife at the Uptown and I would love to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary there . Hear that Mr. Altumura you only have 2 more years to get-r-done !! Looking forward to it. "

Mom2 wrote on Jul 16, 2009 11:58 PM:

" Mr. Altamura definitely skipped over the other properties he owns. He could take some pointers from the other people in town like Harry Price, Mike DeSimone and Jeff Doran. All those guys took a risk and became a community partner by providing for new business/new jobs. That is what you are supposed to do when you buy commercial property. Mr. Altamura has a responsibility to add to the economic engine of the community. We have so many empty windows downtown that are in buildings which are falling apart. If Mr. Altamura would have taken the risk and improved the buildings - downtown would be more attractive and businesses would be leasing and providing jobs. People would come downtown and shop. I've lived here from birth and shopped downtown when it thrived prior to the Napa Town Center being built. Mr. Altamura can take his time with the theater, but don't hamstring the rest of downtown by ignoring the state and shape of your buildings.

BTW - The Orinda Theater - an equally fine Art Movie house was slated for demolition in 1984. It was saved by the community and in 1989 is was opened completely restored (just as Altamura is doing with the Uptown). I don't believe that he was the only buyer for the Uptown and if given the chance the community would have stepped in to save the building and it probably would have opened in 2005!

And quite frankly if Altamura bought the buildings to let sit for 20 years before he improved them...shame on him. He is not doing his duty in this community. Put the buildings up for sale and let the other people in this community who are willing and ABLE to be good economic partners do the job. "

jeeper16 wrote on Jul 17, 2009 12:16 AM:

" Rumor has it that the Uptown will re-open on the very same day that Merrill's has it's Grand Re-opening! Stay tuned!! "

XMAN wrote on Jul 17, 2009 12:26 AM:

" I learned a little about girls in the Uptown balcony during my raging hormone years in the 1940's. I do recall looking up at the ceiling and I do recall three partially bared Roman godesses or some such cloud enshrouded erotic scene.
That seemed to refocus the attention back to my date. There was no actual balcony because the seating sloped up ward on an continuous plane. Great memories for me and thankful George is fixing it up no matter how long it takes. I can wait. "

rpcv wrote on Jul 17, 2009 6:46 AM:

" I love reading the comments from people who patronized the Uptown during its heyday. Is someone saving them, I hope? George, why not mention that you received a Restoration Award from the Art Deco Society of California last year for your work to preserve the Uptown? "

JustAnotherManicMonday wrote on Jul 17, 2009 7:37 AM:

" I think George is trying to create a large section of downtown blight on purpose. His goal is financial gain. He wants to buy up enough properties to create a large area for redevelopment. His goal is to sell a huge tract of land, where a gigantic developer can come in, tear down a few blocks of old buildings, and build a huge complext of hotels, restaurants, stores, movie theatre. It's really all about George. Of course the City will be broke then, not downtown tax dollars, as George will own it all but no tax coming in because no actual stores, and will bend over backwards to get this plan into action and approve it with the Planning Department and City Council. "

Jane Eyrehead wrote on Jul 17, 2009 8:08 AM:

" The Friday SF Chronicle has an article on neighborhood theatres--the Sebastiani (Sonoma) and the Cameo (St. Helena) are among them, and I am a regular visitor to them. Before Altamura bought the Uptown, I enjoyed seeing movies there. How long has the renovation lasted--ten years and counting? Here's some advice to Altamura: don't hold your breath waiting for the Ritz-Carlton. Remember that the successful businesses in the downtown area cater to locals and tourists alike. Azzuro comes to mind. "

Sandra wrote on Jul 17, 2009 8:55 AM:

" Regarding this, "I hope you even get atleast close to the original stained glass lights that use to be there. I never really knew who got them or where they went to."
I was a teenager at the time, and it was my recollection that they were put in the trash. I hope that our local garbage collectors were smart enough to remove them and keep them for themselves. "

Susie-Q wrote on Jul 17, 2009 9:19 AM:

" I, too, have very fond memories of the Uptown theater. A quarter got you in on Saturday afternoons and ten cents got you junior mints or juju bees. The first date I had was to the theater to see the Ten Commandments when it first came out.

I surely hope that the Uptown can be restored to it's original condition. I remember the ceiling with the nudes on it. We used to sit up in the balcony and look up at the ceiling and giggle. It sure was a fun place to be.

I would even make a trip from Delaware to see the theater when it is completely finished. I was born & raised in Napa and remember the way it used to look downtown. I have a feeling that I am going to be very disappointed at the changes in downtown. Lets get with it and do something about the conditions downtown for the people who were born & raised in Napa. We are the ones who deserve it. "

funnyme wrote on Jul 17, 2009 9:25 AM:

" Patience is a virtue.

anothermanicmonday, I believe you are just about right on the dot...

Mr. Altamura seems to be a very patient man. "

caligrown707 wrote on Jul 17, 2009 11:08 AM:

" I think there are good points on both sides of the arguement but I have to agree with the Altamura side of things. As was stated before: we live in a free enterprise economy. I don't see anyone complaining about my neighbors' ugly cars sitting outside my house everyday. some of them are an eyesore and a lot of them sit outside everyday on the street or on their lawns or on their driveways all day long. they may get driven once or twice a week. but no one is saying anything about them. George paid the money for these buildings. None of you did. He has every right to do with them what he pleases; even if that includes holding them vacant while waiting for a buyer/leaser who can afford his locations while he makes a tax write-off. Who cares? You all probably make tax write-offs that I would not agree with. I think the funniest people on here, though, are the idiots who criticize his business practises and give advice. Hey genuises! WAKE UP! how much do you earn a year? how much does HE earn a year? what is HIS net worth vs. YOUR net worth? Whether you agree with his business practises or not, the man is very, very successful and the reason that he is so successful is because of the business decisions that he has made and the work he has put in to get that money. If you don't like it, buy the properties yourselves and let's see you do something with them. What's more, let's see you be more successful with them than George. I have personally seen the inside of the Uptown as is was last fall. the ceiling is absolutely beautiful and restored fantastically. GET OVER IT PEOPLE! "

benssue wrote on Jul 17, 2009 12:54 PM:

" I think no matter how long this project take's it will be something to behold. I was in a few beauty contests held on the stage of the old uptown, I won a few. but. i remember as a child it was a place of beauty and wonder to me then. I was only 2 or 3 but have pictures of the uptowns stage and it still amazes me of the beauty inside.
I remember the old Napa bakery , and chinese laundry, the wooden floors and the echo inside their walls as a child. Mervyns too, and Ruthies clothing for woimen, where i bought my wedding dress, way back then. The old pawn shop on the corner and Doctors office by the now downtown fountain. However didnt have to go there much as then, the doc still made house calls and we called him grandpa.I wish those days were still here. but they are gone forever, Except in my mind. I remember the road from napa to berryessa being gravel as you went up monticello rd.[we lived in Berryessa] and the one room school house on capell valley rd, i attended. The 1800's family home all my family were born and raised in....since has burned to the ground. Napa has lost so many building's that were historical and can never be replaced...how great it is you are preserving a building for future napa residents to go back in time and see what napa looked like in the past.I applaud you ..
I "

ao1982 wrote on Jul 17, 2009 2:45 PM:

" Please, please, please, please turn this theater into an IMAX. It would make an incredible amount of money. So many people leave Napa and drive to Fairfield, I personally go to San Francisco's Metreon, to watch a movie in IMAX. The experience is like no other. Nothing compares to an IMAX. "

winewoman wrote on Jul 18, 2009 11:09 AM:

" Well, I'm surprised how many people can be manipulated through nostalgia / a trip down memory lane. All reason and logic are lost. That's probably how George has gotten away with explaining his delays for the past 9 years.

Here are some facts:

The Sebastiani Winery renovation took 2 years to complete.

The Guggenheim Museum restoration took 3 years to complete.

Grand Central took 12 years to restore at the cost of $197M

Sattui's castle took 15 years to restore and renovate at the cost of $30M

The Smithsonian Museum of American history took 2 years and $85M to restore and renovate

These examples make the Uptown Theatre renovation pale in comparison.
So, George - go ahead and take a few more years - but realize that we're going to expect something along the scale of one of these amazing historical renovations. Anything less and you'll be a laughing stock.

Fellow Napans, prepare for many more years of this unfinished eyesore. George has slipped in his excuse card - the opening of the Ritz Carlton and the economic downturn.

George said, " I would also point out that it would indeed have become a “blight” had I not purchased it. By now it would have started to disintegrate and would be just another empty old theater, useless for anything except perhaps the wrecking ball or a flea market.

Dont flatter yourself, George. You've been outdone by other developers. Get busy and fix all of your properties. "

blart wrote on Jul 20, 2009 7:58 AM:

" Although the Napa Valley is suffering economically at the start of 2009, conditions here aren’t as bad as elsewhere, Altamura said. Even if the approved Ritz-Carlton resort doesn’t begin construction this year, downtown has enough going for it to justify reopening the Uptown, he said.

source NVR, 01/06/09 "

5th generation napan wrote on Jul 20, 2009 8:08 AM:

" Winewoman, before you start winning, I agree George has to do something about his other holding.

With regards to the Restoration, get real. He might have done it faster and I 'm sure he's waiting for the right economic climate to open, (which may or may not happen) but don't try to compare those other projects to the Up town and say he's been "outdone".

All projects have different timelines, different budgets, different levels of available manpower and different techniques. The Grand Central project was the only one that came close to the up town project (fact having a 1903 painting under soot to restore) in like restoration, and it took 12 years and 195 million, I think a little bit bigger budget and size. So why dont you realistically compare apples to apples.

To be honest he is right. The Uptown had a very good chance of becomeing a 7/11 had someone not stepped in and took the project on.

I dont mind critiqueing, but do it on point, and praise a job done.

The history of napa dealing with historical sites is pretty sad only until recently. "

paddy wrote on Jul 20, 2009 9:04 AM:

" winewoman - I appreciate your comparisons, it's taken Altamura nearly as much time to restore the Uptown as it took Darryl Sattui build Castello di Amorosa.... wow.

What irks me is that this article should be about why it's taken so long for this restoral. What happened with his partnership with Francis Ford Coppola. Why he's become known as the slumlord landlord.

Why write this fluff piece when there is so much more that we'd like to know about George Altamura. "

paddy wrote on Jul 20, 2009 9:14 AM:

" This was not written by the Register. It's an Opinion written by George Altamura, I retract my inference about this fluff being written by the NVR.

I would like to see an article about why it's taken so long to complete a relatively simple project... What happened to his partnership with Coppola and the plans to make the Uptown a state of the art digital theatre... Why he buys buildings and allows them to sit for years and years effectively causing islands of blight. "

JustAnotherManicMonday wrote on Jul 20, 2009 11:44 AM:

" Thanks funnyme. Caligrown: yes, he owns the blighted properties downtown. But I and others take George to task for creating a blighted, awful look downtown with empty, ugly buildings. It looks bad for locals and tourists alike. It doesn't help the downtown, it just hurts it. It hurts sales, property values, morale. George gets richer and richer, great for him. What about the other 72,000 people in Napa? "

funnyme wrote on Jul 20, 2009 5:17 PM:

" ATM's...a few of them, please!

I never noticed before until today. My kids and I decided to "walk around downtown" to do the tourist thing...I was ready to pay for a 'knick-knack' ($6.00) and I didn't have any cash on me and the store didn't take cards for sales of $10 or less, so I asked where's the nearest ATM machine?...Wells Fargo Bank was the only one that came to our minds...

I hope Mr. Altamura's future plans include a couple more banks or at least a handful of ATM's throughout downtown. "

krusty wrote on Jul 21, 2009 7:30 PM:

" funnyme, there's also one at the new Napa Square on First and School Streets. It's on the School Street side. Also, the Bank of America near First and Jefferson. "

grimsby wrote on Jul 22, 2009 11:09 PM:

" Glad the uptown is being restored. I went
to movies and xmas shows there on
saturdays around 1955. Saw what it
looked like when it was chopped up into
different theathers. that was a sad day.
Happy it is being restored. I can take my
grandchildren and great grandchildren to
see how beautiful it once was. "

snowmom2 wrote on Jul 23, 2009 7:14 AM:

" Please ignore all the critisism Mr. Altamura. You're doing the best you can to go above and beyond bringing class to a theatre that could have been demolished. I went there as a young person and can't wait to take my children there. Your efforts are applauded! "

make napa better wrote on Jul 23, 2009 7:23 PM:

" For 10 years I'd been hearing that Mr. Altamura was going to make the Uptown a Venue. I worked there just before it shut down. I'm still waiting for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers to arrive. That was who I heard back then was going to be opening night. (I used to crank it up and sit in the theater while no one was around. ;) )

Now I'm a little deflated and heartbroken and it's too bad this is just going to be another tourist venue :( "

4gnapan wrote on Aug 6, 2009 7:27 PM:

" Mom took to the uptown as a kid, in the early 60's to watch the movies on that HUGE screen... Bambi looked so real to my rugrat eyes... I also goggled at the murals on the ceiling, and celebrated many good times there. It was getting a little long in the tooth by the 70's and StarWars, but it was still a great big screen theater. Then some yo-yo carved it up into 4 mini screens, and turned it into a Dive...

I go by there often, and there's somthing going on all the time, and eventually, I look forward to going back in for a show. I hope they will continue to show Movies there, as well as the live acts, and plays that the new stage will allow.

Take your time, Do it Right, and dont let some twit developer turn it into junk like the last owner... "

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