Tower Theatre saved, Adventure Church lawsuit dismissed

FRESNO, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – The fight between the City of Fresno and the Adventure Church is over. The Fifth District Court of Appeal has dismissed the church’s lawsuit against the city for buying the Tower Theatre.

Councilmember Miguel Arias, who oversees part of the Tower District, says he remembers the community’s reaction when the Tower Theatre’s previous owner decided to sell it to the Adventure Church four years ago.

“When the public found out that this historic theater could potentially become a church permanently and no longer host the comedy shows, the arts, the performances that it’s been known for, they all started to organize and we ended up having protests for months,” Arias said.

The city decided to buy the theater in 2021 which ignited a multi-year legal battle with Adventure Church, a chapter Councilmember Arias says he’s grateful to close.

“The courts have ruled multiple times. Now, hopefully, this will be the final time,” Arias said. “We thank the judicial system for finding the truth and that we followed all the rules and that we preserve the Tower Theatre the way we’re supposed to be.”

Fresno City Attorney Andrew Janz shares a similar sentiment.

“We worked really hard over the last several years on this lawsuit, and we feel at the end of the day, the right thing was done,” Janz said. “I think this will allow for more inclusivity in terms of the types of events at the Tower Theatre.”

Councilmember Arias says preserving that history of inclusion is one of the reasons why this latest ruling is important.

“The Tower Theatre itself is one of the most historical buildings that we have,” Arias said. “Now, as a city-owned asset, just like the convention center in a sound arena, it’s available to everyone.”

While temperatures are hot, Arias hopes people will stop by and enjoy what the theater has to offer.

“Enjoy the air conditioning, the lights, and the history and the tower district by being a The Tower Theatre,” Arias said.

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