Krikorian takes legal action to stop demolition order

City officials have declared the theater project a public nuisance and have issued a demolition order. (File photo)

By Doug Spoon, Editor

Theater owner George Krikorian continues to fight efforts to force demolition of his partially constructed buildings in Menifee Town Center.

On June 5, the Menifee City Council approved an order for demolition of the property, once again declaring it a public nuisance. Krikorian was given 30 days to comply with the order, but demolition has not taken place.

Instead, Krikorian has once again taken legal action to fight the demolition order.

Krikorian has filed legal action with the Riverside Superior Court challenging the City’s determination that the structure constitutes a public nuisance that must be abated, said Phil Southard, public information officer for the City of Menifee. The court issued a stay in the City’s order until Aug. 16.

The notice to abate the adjacent retail pads was also appealed by Krikorian, Southard said. An administrative hearing on that issue is scheduled for Aug. 29.

“The City of Menifee remains committed to pursuing these matters and will evaluate all options that will help preserve the health and safety of our community,” Southard said.

The walls of the theater building and retail buildings have remained unfinished since work was stopped in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Krikorian has appealed multiple demolition orders since then. A fire destroyed most of the retail buildings in January.