Please email and/or write the Novato City Council Members and City Manager by August 15, and tell them how important this historical site is to you. (Contact info below.)

There is a rumor that the City Council will be hearing a presentation from a developer on August 23, 2022 - brought forward by Adam McGill, City Manager, to turn this beautiful, historical site into a housing project. This initiative is not what our community wants. In a community of 850 homes, we have over 650 pledges to renovate the Hamilton Theater. Let's not let this happen.

Main topics for your letter and emails might include. (please email and/or write by August 15th.)

1)  Overflow parking

There are several businesses that rely on this parking area: Hamilton Community Center, MOCA, Novato Arts Center, Art Studios, Beso Restaurant, Elegance at Hamilton, Splitz Dance Academy, Unity in Marin, Hamilton Montessori School, Fit First Pilates, Faith Builders Tabernacle, and most importantly, the Hamilton Amphitheater and Theater.

2) Hamilton Amphitheater 
During shows there is limited parking. There are only 7 parking spaces at the Amphitheater and no nearby street parking. When over 1000 people show up to the "music in the park summer series", they need parking, so they use the Hamilton Theater parking lot.

3) Unfulfilled Promise
After speaking to original residents here in Hamilton, the original developer, TMG Partners, promised that the Hamilton Town Center and surrounding areas would be preserved for recreational facilities. In the Inside Hamilton Brochure from the developer, the developer committed to  include "The Town Center, with its historic buildings, is designed as the social hub of the community. Proposed uses include a cafe, a bank, adult education, an art gallery and a museum." 

4) Historic Value
We have heard stories of Hamilton residents converging at the Hamilton Theater for a film, $5 admission fee, sitting down with a $1 hot dog, popcorn and a drink, stealing away a few hours from the stresses of political tensions and wartime life. It is hard to re-imagine this theater any other way - than a place of community entertainment and joy. The Hamilton Theater, the NCO Club and the Hamilton Amphitheater are all historic buildings registered in the Library of Congress. (Click on links to view.) 

5) Community Inclusion & Enrichment
The Hamilton Theater and Non-Commissioned Officer's (NCO) Club were places of “cultural equity". Residents of all ranks and ethnicities were free to convene. These public base facilities fostered inclusion and diversity under the vices of recreation, entertainment and consumption. In fact, the NCO Club was nicer than the officers' club, more elaborately decorated, with more bands, dances, and events. I'd like to see this brought back. Sadly, the City tore down the NCO Club.

Write all the Novato Council Members and share your concerns.

NOVATO CITY COUNCIL
ADDRESS: Novato City Hall, 901 Sherman Avenue, Novato, CA 94947

MAYOR Eric Lucan
Email: elucan@novato.org
Phone: 415.272.3265

MAYOR PRO TEM Susan Wernick
Email: swernick@novato.org
Phone: 415.302.9514

COUNCILMEMBER Denise Athas
Email: dathas@novato.org
Phone: 415.246.2959

COUNCILMEMBER Pat Eklund
Email: peklund@novato.org
Phone: 415.883.9116

COUNCILMEMBER Mark Milberg
Email: mmilberg@novato.org
Phone: 415.899.8912

CITY MANAGER, Adam McGill
Vickie Gerber, Executive Assistant/City Manager’s Office
City of Novato
922 Machin Avenue, Novato, CA 94945
C/O vgerber@novato.org
(415) 899-8905

THIS IS TIME SENSITIVE! YOUR SUPPORT MEANS EVERYTHING.