Downey considers 3-year extension for theater management company

The Downey Civic Theatre has been managed by VenueTech since 2010. (Photo by Eric Pierce)

DOWNEY – The City Council on Tuesday will consider awarding VenueTech a three-year contract extension for day-to-day management of the Downey Civic Theatre.

VenueTech has managed the theater since 2010.

The contract under consideration would pay VenueTech $250,000 annually – an increase from their current fee of $215,000 – plus 5% increases in 2023 and 2024.

Downey will also reimburse VenueTech for additional personnel required to supporter theater and festival events. It’s estimated that Downey will pay $550,000 in labor reimbursement costs in the first year of the contract.

The 738-seat theater opened in 1970 and primarily operated as a rental facility until VenueTech was hired in 2010 to manage the theater and produce in-house programming.

VenueTech was the only company to submit a management proposal when Downey began soliciting theater management bids in March.