Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Update on the “Venue Operator(s) for the Westminster Rose Center Theater and Banquet Facility - a Multicultural Center” Request for Proposal (RFP) Process and Consideration of an Extension of the Term of the Agreement for Use of the Rose Center.
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From: Christine Cordon, City Manager
Requested by: Administration
Prepared by: Shaunna Hunter, Senior Management Analyst
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
A. Receive and file update on the “Venue Operator(s) for the Westminster Rose Center Theater and Banquet Facility - a Multicultural Center” Request for Proposal (RFP) process; and
B. Consideration of exercising the City Council’s option to extend the term of the agreement with Friends of the Abbey Centre, Inc. dba Friends of the Rose Center Theater for up to an additional three months.
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BACKGROUND
At the December 18, 2025 Special City Council Meeting, the City Council approved a six (6)-month amendment extending the agreement with the Friends of the Abbey Centre, Inc. dba Friends of the Rose Center Theater (“Friends”) through June 30, 2026; and increased the facility lease amount that Friends must pay from $0 to $5,000 per month.
At the February 11, 2026 City Council Study Session, TheatreDNA (the City’s consultant) presented a report on consolidated City Council priorities from discussions conducted in January 2026. The report focused on shared vision and goals for the Rose Center. TheatreDNA led a structured discussion and provided information about programming, operator models, and the timeline for the RFP development and operator procurement process.
During the interviews and the subsequent discussion at the City Council meeting, TheatreDNA identified the following goals:
• Support current venue activities but increase the usage.
• Increase use from diverse groups across art forms and event types.
• Develop a business model that allows full cost recovery and financial sustainability.
RFP Release and Schedule
During the TheatreDNA presentation on February 11, 2026, City Council was provided with information on programming, booking strategies, and operator models that aligned with the stated City Council goals. These goals were incorporated into the Request for Proposal (RFP) (Attachment 2). Table 1 was included in the RFP document and identifies the steps in the RFP submission process.
On April 9, 2026 staff released the “Venue Operator(s) for the Westminster Rose Center Theater and Banquet Facility - a Multicultural Center” RFP, via direct email to interested parties, and to TheatreDNA for circulation among national and regional venue operators. At the recommendation of TheatreDNA, the RFP was amended on April 10, 2026 to include a virtual tour option for prospective bidders to expand the reach of the RFP. Staff conducted the pre-proposal site tour on April 14, 2026 at 10 a.m.; four interested firms participated. Additionally, staff has received two inquiries for virtual tours to date that will be conducted in accordance with the timeline on Table 1.
Responses to the RFP are due May 7, 2026, with interviews tentatively scheduled for the week of May 25, followed by contract negotiations, and agreement preparation. Staff is scheduled to bring a proposed agreement and vendor selection for City Council consideration to the June 24, 2026 City Council Meeting.
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Table 1 - RFP Schedule |
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Request for Proposal (RFP) Release |
Thursday, April 9, 2026 |
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Mandatory Pre-Proposal Site Tour at 14140 All American Way Westminster, CA 92683 |
Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 10 a.m. |
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Deadline for Written Questions and Requests |
Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 12 p.m. |
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Responses and Addenda Issued if Necessary |
Friday, April 17, 2026 at 12 p.m. |
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Deadline to Schedule Virtual Pre-Proposal Site Tour |
Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 12 p.m. |
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Deadline to conduct Virtual Pre-Proposal Site Tour |
Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 5 p.m. |
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Proposals Due |
Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 5 p.m. |
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Proposers Interviews |
Week of May 26-29, 2026 by appointment |
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Negotiations |
May 29-June 11, 2026 |
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Contract submitted to City Council for Approval |
June 24, 2026 |
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Professional Services Contract Executed |
To be determined |
Rose Center Theater Extension
At the December 18, 2025 Special City Council Meeting, the City Council approved a first amendment to the Friends agreement (Attachment 3), which extended the term through June 30, 2026, increasing the facility rent paid by Friends from $0 to $5,000 per month, during the extension period. Based on City Council direction, the Amendment included a City Council option to extend the agreement for up to an additional three months.
The City Council is now being requested to consider whether to exercise the option to extend the term of the Agreement for up to the maximum additional three months. If the option is not exercised, Friends will be required to vacate the Rose Center by June 30, 2026, in accordance with the first amendment. If the option is exercised and the term is extended for the full three months, Friends will be required to vacate the Rose Center by September 30, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT
The fiscal impact will be determined by council action on this item. Should council exercise the option for the full three-month period, additional facility rental payments of $5,000 per month will be paid by Friends to account number 20000-33560 in accordance with the terms of the Agreement.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
At the February 11, 2026 City Council meeting, the City Council requested that staff return in April 2026 to provide an update on the RFP timeline and discuss if an extension to the Friends agreement is needed beyond June 30, 2026.
ATTACHMENTS
1. TheatreDNA Presentation February 11, 2026
2. Request for Proposal (RFP) - “Venue Operator(s) for the Westminster Rose Center Theater and Banquet Facility - a Multicultural Center”
3. First Amendment to the Friends Agreement
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
City Attorney’s Office
Christine Cordon, City Manager