City places lien on Krikorian property, considers demolition

The theater building looks basically the same as this 2020 photo, which showed structural problems. (File photo)

By Doug Spoon, Editor

The City of Menifee has placed a lien on the Krikorian theater property as the next step in moving forward with the demolition of the building.

City officials announced today that they are moving forward with additional Code Enforcement actions against the project. Krikorian failed to meet a Sept. 21 deadline to demolish the building himself, and his building permits have expired. The result was a citation for violation of an unpermitted building and a Notice of Pendency, which is in effect a lien on the property.

The City is also considering requesting authority from the City Council to issue a Notice of Intent to Abate Public Nuisance to compel compliance with the demolition. Krikorian will have 30 days to respond to the notice and 10 days to appeal. It compliance is not met or if an appeal is rejected, the City will seek authority from the City Council to move forward with the demolition of the structures.

According to the announcement, cost of the demolition would be required to be paid by Krikorian to remove the lien on the property.

“The City will continue to communicate with the developer to gain compliance while enforcing violations in accordance with law,” the announcement stated.

The partially constructed building has sat untouched since April 2020, during the pandemic. Krikorian is still involved in a lawsuit with contractors who are seeking payments that were not made.