Ambassador Auditorium in the News

Although it is no longer owned by any COG, those who were once affiliated with the old WCG were familiar with Ambassador Auditorium. It was in the news today and actually has an event tomorrow:

Ambassador West needs new builder

Whittier Daily News, CA – Nov 9, 2007

PASADENA – Standard Pacific Homes has pulled out of the Ambassador West project, leaving developers Dorn Platz looking for another builder for 70 condominiums planned for the prime 19.72-acre site.

Dorn Platz President Greg Galletly was out of the office Thursday, but he confirmed through a spokeswoman that Standard Pacific has left the project and that the firm is looking for a replacement.

Ted McKibbin, president of Standard Pacific Homes in Orange County, did not return two calls for comment on why the company left the project.

Dorn Platz is the third developer in eight years to propose a project on part of the former Ambassador College campus.

The major feature of the complicated project, which was approved by the City Council in April, will be a six-story, 440,000-

square-foot Sunrise Senior Living complex, now the subject of an ongoing lawsuit filed by Harvest Rock Church.

The church, which owns and operates from the Ambassador Auditorium, claimed in its May 4 lawsuit that Dorn Platz illegally received city permission to build the 248 senior- and assisted-living units adjoining the Ambassador Auditorium because it encroached on church property. Both parties were involved in mediation in June, but did not reach agreement. Standard Pacific’s withdrawal from Ambassador West will have no effect on the project’s planning entitlements, said Darrell Cozen, senior planner with the city. http://www.whittierdailynews.com/news/ci_7410548

Also notice:

Dvorák in America — Nov. 10 at 8 p.m. CalPhil and Maestro Victor Vener perform with cellist Dennis Karmazyn. The California Philharmonic begins its 2007-2008 season concerts of classical music in Pasadena’s Ambassador Auditorium with an evening dedicated to the music Dvorák composed while living in the United States. The concert will include his most popular work, Symphony No. 9 “From the New World,” and his Cello Concerto. Cal Phil’s principal cellist, Dennis Karmazyn will be the soloist. The concert is conducted by Victor Vener, Cal Phil’s music director.Tickets are $30 to $95. http://www.lacanadaonline.com/articles/2007/11/08/entertainment/lent-around1108.txt

Ambassador Auditorium is still a nice location for concerts. It was sold off by the new WCG and the funds seemed to be used to help fund pension programs for those part of the new WCG.