LOMPOC - For many people who grew up in the Lompoc Valley, the historic Lompoc Theater is the heart of town.
"It takes them back to their childhood, a lot of people", says longtime resident Alma Lopez, "I remember watching Bambi in that theater when I was just a kid."
Time and the elements have caught up with the Lompoc Theater which will likely need a substantial investment to bring it back to life and up to code.
"It would just be nice if they would renovate it and make it useful", adds local hair stylist Marne.
Lompoc must now decide if the Lompoc Theater is going to be part of the new, old town or is it standing in the way of redevelopment.
Until recently, the insolvent Lompoc Housing and Community Development Corporation held the title on the Lompoc Theater.
Its now in the hands of the bank after the LHCDC defaulted on its loan payment and the property was foreclosed on.
The Lompoc Theater occupies one of the four corners of city's Old Town District which remains a priority for economic revitalization.
"It definitely shows the style of south side more than anything else on this side of town", add Tom and Kent sitting outside a downtown coffee shop, "it would bring in a lot of revenue for Lompoc, especially having a big old theater like that, it kind of makes me think of the old theaters in Santa Barbara that look like this one."
If a private buyer can't be found, the City of Lompoc would need to pony up more than a million of taxpayer dollars to buy the Lompoc Theater.
