Demolition of Krikorian theater site structures begins Friday

Editor’s note: The following is a news release from the City of Menifee announcing that demolition of the structures on the site of the planned Krikorian Entertainment Complex will begin on Friday. George Krikorian still owns the property and is trying to sell, but no deals have been made. The site will sit vacant for the time being. For safety reasons, residents are urged to stay clear of the area while demolition takes place.

MENIFEE – The City of Menifee is moving forward with the demolition of the dilapidated structures located on the Krikorian Entertainment Complex property. The contractor approved by the City Council to conduct the demolition will begin staging equipment on Thursday and will start the demolition work on Friday. The site will be returned to its original state and made ready for future opportunities.

Following years of inaction by the property owner, Showprop Menifee, LLC, and failure to meet building and safety deadlines to move the project forward, the City issued a Notice of Intent to Abate Public Nuisance for the unfinished theater structure (Theater Notice) in October 2023. The Theater Notice required the property owner to tear down the theater structures and restore the property to its prior condition. A Notice of Intent to Abate Public Nuisance was also issued for the existing retail buildings on the property adjacent to Newport Road and Town Center Drive (Retail Pads Notice). The property owner appealed both notices, but a hearing officer denied those appeals and upheld the City’s actions.

Due to the public nuisance and the length of time that the existing construction had been exposed to the elements, a comprehensive inspection of the property was commissioned by the City on April 17, 2024. In order to obtain access to the property, the City first secured a Court-issued Inspection Warrant. The inspection was performed by a team of structural engineers, City Fire Inspectors, and other construction specialists to fully assess the fire, life safety, environmental, and health hazards at the property.

“We share in the community’s frustration that this project has not moved forward and that the site does not represent the high standards we hold for the Menifee community,” said City Manager Armando Villa. “As this is a private project on personally-owned property, it was necessary for us to follow the right legal process to be successful in having the structures removed and the site restored to its original condition to allow for future development opportunities that will benefit our residents.”

Based on the results of the comprehensive inspection, the lack of progress by the property owner to both adequately secure the site and ensure public safety and address the substandard conditions on the property, and in conformance with Menifee Municipal Code, the City Council adopted a resolution on June 5, 2024, that declared the theater property a public nuisance and ordered the owner to, within 30 days, (1) demolish the theater structure (including foundation, etc.); (2) remove all debris and building materials, supplies, and equipment from the theater property; and (3) properly secure the property to ensure that unauthorized individuals cannot enter. The City Council approved a similar resolution for the retail pads on December 17, 2024.

The property owner filed a legal action with the Riverside Superior Court in May 2024 challenging the City’s determination that the theater structure constituted a public nuisance that must be abated. The Court issued a short stay in that action until August 16, 2024. The Court further extended the stay to Sept. 20, 2024, to provide the owner an opportunity to sell the property to an interested buyer. As the property owner failed to secure a sale of the property by the hearing, the Court lifted the stay and authorized the City to move forward with the demolition of the theater structures.

A demolition contract was approved by the City Council on Nov. 20, 2024 with AD Improvements to conduct the demolition work and site clearance at a cost of $231,100, which was the lowest responsive and responsible bid. The City will seek to recover the full costs of abatement through a lien and/or assessment placed on the property, or through direct recovery efforts against the property owner.

The property owner and his attorneys have formally given their consent for the demolition work to move forward. For safety purposes, signs will be posted on site reminding residents to stay clear of the property while demolition work is completed.