Grand Vision Foundation Founded to Save the Warner Grand Theatre
In the early 1990s, rocker Lee Michaels, known for his hit song “Do You Know What I Mean?” owned the theater. It was not in operation and Michaels wanted to sell. San Pedro business partners Gary Larson and Alan Johnson grew concerned that a new buyer might demolish the property. They formed Grand Vision Foundation as an advocacy group, and convinced then L.A. City Councilman, Rudy Svorinich, to seek City Council approval to purchase the theater. Council agreed, and directed the City’s Community Redevelopment Agency to purchase the theater for $1.2 million in order to spur the revitalization of downtown San Pedro. Today, the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) operates The Warner Grand Theatre as a resource for the people of Los Angeles. Grand Vision Foundation is its official Friends group.
