Single-boot drive to save Montclair’s Tiki Drive-In Mission from destruction – Orange County Register

Emotions are running high following plans to demolish the Mission Tiki Drive-In Theater south of Montclair to make way for eight warehouse buildings was submitted for approval to City Hall in January.

The proposal prompted a online recommendations by Robert Wilkiewicz, of Pomona, who is asking people to sign if they want the outdoor cinema to remain. As of Thursday, February 17, 783 people have signed the petition, and the number continues to grow, records show.

In the petition’s prologue, Wilkiewicz called the drive an “iconic staple” and said that losing it to a bunch of depots would be tantamount to “a stab in the heart.” of the community”.

After mentioning how much families for more than six decades have enjoyed watching movies in the driveway, Wilkiewicz said the signatories were ready to fight to save it. “Community is coming to you City of Montclair. You will hear our voice!! ‘ he concluded.

“Drive in is part of American history. Hollywood History. Our local history. We need more creative people to take on this work,” he said on Thursday, February 17.

Icon drive in has operated for 66 years on the corner of Mission Avenue and Ramona Avenue in Montclair, creating multi-generational memories for patrons who have come from the San Gabriel Valley, the San Fernando Valley and the Inland Empire to enjoy an airy space gliding from the comfort of their car.

For decades, it was owned and operated by De Anza Land and Leisure until the 27-acre estate sold in August 2019 for $34.4 million. News of the pending internal drive sale and demise is prompted another online petition in 2019 attracted 10,379 signatures, mostly from two years ago.

The developer, Mission Boulevard Industrial Owners LP, submitted the plan and Environmental Impact Report on January 10, 2022. project could be heard by the city’s Planning Commission in March or April, followed by the City Council, officials said. The public has until 6 p.m. Thursday, February 24, to submit comments to Michael Diaz, director of community development, City of Montclair, 5111 Benito St., Montclair, CA 91763. Comments are also possible. emailed to mdiaz@cityofmontclair.org.

Previous plans to develop the venue stalled, and in the spring of 2020, the theater suddenly found a new life as pandemic caused by corona virus strong growth in the region.

In 2020 and 2021, drive-in popularity skyrocketed and it is still open to this day. In 2020, during strict stay-at-home orders, the theater was approved by the city of Montclair, becoming the one of the only forms of home entertainment availablewith the warning that people stay in their cars to comply with social distancing guidelines, a requirement of the city at the time.

“It’s an anti-COVID-19 way to get out of the house and still practice social distancing. And think, the city will let it be torn down by the end of the summer,” said Bruce Culp, Montclair resident and town hall follower on the Facebook page “Montclair Connects” on March 20, 2020.

Culp, who signed the new online petition, said the site should be a national landmark.

“These dynamics will disappear,” he added. “They are part of history. It’s hard to see the things you grew up with disappear. “

Many drivers have been out of business for many years, mainly because the property they hold can be sold for huge profits. These include Winnetka of Chatsworth, Mount Vernon in San Bernardino and Foothill in Azusa.

Montclair Pro-Tem Mayor Bill Ruh often reminisces about former landmarks in the city and surrounding areas. Montclair is in a predicament, he said: It doesn’t own the theater and can’t stop owners from selling.

“It’s a historic site,” Ruh said. “In a perfect world, I’d say let it stay that way. But I don’t own it and the city doesn’t own it either.”

Beyond making sure the development complies with the city’s rules and zoning, there’s not much officials can do, he said. Ruh suggested that the sign be kept as an element of history, like the one from the Azusa theater that was preserved when Azusa Pacific University purchased the property for educational buildings.

“Drive theater is a part of everyone’s life and there is an attachment to it,” says Ruh. “I get that. But we can’t tell property owners what to build there.”

Many of the people who signed the most recent petition left comments, saying they missed the parents who took them to the drive-thru store and took their kids there.

Ashley Figueroa wrote on the application: “This is my childhood. Charlie Cortes commented on this website: “This place has been my favorite since I was a kid.

Pomona resident Elizabeth Cole writes that old buildings are often not preserved in Southern California. “I have seen so much history destroyed and it is time to end this. Instead of developers thinking only of profit, we need to save the Mission Tiki Drive-In. ”