Politics & Government

City Council Hears Three Hours of 'Save the Dome' Public Comments

Around 50 people got up to speak during the public hearing to save Pleasant Hill's "dome" theater from demolition.

The Pleasant Hill City Council chambers were overflowing Monday evening as "dome" supporters gathered for an appeal hearing to save the theater from demolition.

Around 50 people took the podium to share opinions, memories and ideas about the fate of the CinéArts "dome." Public comment began at 9 p.m. and ended just after midnight.

Comments ranged from emotional appeals to humorous quips.

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"I'm asking you to vote this down tonight," said a man claiming to be a 50-year resident of Pleasant Hill. "I will not go into this sporting goods store... and I have 72 first cousins."

Another long time Pleasant Hill resident said she would "gladly" give her tax dollars to neighboring cities if the "dome" were demolished by spending her money elsewhere.

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An 18-yr-old speaker said that "the dome is a place for everybody" and tearing it down would "leave a stain" on the city. 

Another speaker said that demolishing the theater "will benefit corporations and not people."

Vice Mayor Jack Weir said he was "absolutely overwhelmed" by the level of public participation.

Browse tweets from the public hearing here.

Catch up on the story about SyWest's planned development of the Crossroads Shopping Center and the imminent demolition of the "dome" theater here on Pleasant Hill Patch.

Which comments do you think were most powerful during the "dome" appeal hearing? Share your thoughts below.


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