Adventure Church files new lawsuit over Tower Theatre. This one has a new defendant
Adventure Church filed a new lawsuit against the city of Fresno this week and added developer Terance Frazier as a defendant, alleging he advised the Fresno City Council to pursue legal action and force a rezone on the Tower Theatre property.
The lawsuit alleges the the city in January 2021 approached Frazier and asked him to join an investment group to purchase the theater while the city knew the church was in contract to purchase it.
The church argues in the suit that Fresno City Councilmembers, including Frazier’s fiance Esmeralda Soria, asked him how to prevent the sale of the theater to the church. He advised them to file pending legal action and how to force a rezone of the property to jeopardize the sale, the lawsuit alleges.
Shortly after the city got involved with the sale, Frazier called the church’s pastor, Anthony Flores, saying “If you ask me for help, I’ll fix all this for you,” the lawsuit alleges.
The new lawsuit is the latest development in a years-long controversy that began in 2020 when the church’s plans to buy the theater became public. The news quickly was met with protests from Fresno’s LGBTQ community and most queer-friendly neighborhood, anchored by the iconic theater.
In April, the city of Fresno stepped in and purchased the theater for $6.5 million.
Adventure Church has waged a long legal battle, first with the owners of J&A Mash and Barrel, operators of Sequoia Brewing Company that sits on the property, and later, the city of Fresno. The church in August dismissed its original lawsuit and moved out of the theater. The new lawsuit is largely similar to the previous one and added Frazier as a defendant.
City officials soon will choose one of eight companies to manage the theater. Bidders include a mix of local, regional and out-of state interests — property management companies, long-time event promoters, a community arts non-profit and the theater’s management team.
City officials, per policy, declined to comment on pending litigation.
Frazier was unavailable to comment on Tuesday, saying he had not yet read the lawsuit.
This story was originally published December 20, 2022 at 2:07 PM.