Santa Clarita has taken a preliminary step toward addressing the loss of The MAIN theater, with the City Council approving the purchase of a former radio-station building in Old Town Newhall. The $1.9 million acquisition covers a commercial property at 24318-24322 Main Street, along with an additional $10,000 for escrow and due diligence expenses.
The action follows the Aug. 24 fire that destroyed several businesses in the district, including The MAIN, a city-operated performing arts venue. City officials have expressed interest in arts and entertainment possibilities for the newly acquired property, but Tuesday’s vote does not assign the building a specific future purpose. Instead, it gives the city another site to study while officials consider how to preserve and expand cultural activity in Old Town Newhall.
A purchase with room for options
The approximately 5,433-square-foot building is divided into three commercial spaces. Two were previously occupied by KHTS Radio and Total Financial Services, while the third is currently used by a salon. The existing salon tenant has a two-year lease, according to city information, and City Manager Ken Striplin said the lease is not expected to create a major obstacle as the city evaluates possible uses.
“I think that it’ll take the council several months to decide what it is they want to do, and then once you decide what you want to do, it’s a design process,” Striplin said.
Striplin also estimated that replacing a theater comparable to The MAIN could cost about $8 million. That figure places the property purchase within a broader discussion about the cost, timing and scale of any future performing arts facility. The city has not committed to rebuilding The MAIN at the Main Street property, nor has it announced a final operating or construction plan.
| Property decision | Details |
|---|---|
| Purchase price | $1.9 million |
| Additional approved costs | $10,000 for escrow and due diligence |
| Building size | Approximately 5,433 square feet |
| Potential comparable theater cost | Approximately $8 million |
Performing arts community weighs in
During public comment, members of Santa Clarita’s performing arts community discussed the city’s next steps after The MAIN’s destruction. Jeremy Thompson, founder of Theatre Ex Tempore, said he was cautiously optimistic about the purchase as long as it becomes part of a broader solution for performing arts in the Santa Clarita Valley. His comments reflected the distinction between acquiring a building and creating a long-term venue capable of supporting performances, audiences and local arts organizations.
The building’s location also connects the decision to the city’s ongoing efforts to revitalize Old Town Newhall. A future arts-related use could help maintain activity along Main Street, but the council must still determine whether the property’s size, layout and existing tenancy can accommodate the community’s needs. Those questions will be addressed through further evaluation rather than Tuesday’s purchase vote alone.
Additional safety action
Along with approving the property acquisition, the council approved staff recommendations intended to improve e-bike safety and address illegal electric motorcycles. The source information did not specify the individual measures included in those recommendations, but the action adds a separate public-safety component to the council’s agenda.
For now, Santa Clarita owns a centrally located Main Street building while the future of its performing arts infrastructure remains undecided. Striplin said the city’s deliberations could take several months, followed by a design process if the council chooses a specific project. Until then, the acquisition represents an opportunity to study a new venue option without committing residents to a final use, construction schedule or additional investment beyond the amounts approved Tuesday.
