Absent parties spark frustration at Oscar’s, Plaza Theatre public forum
UPDATE 7/15 8:04 P.M.: A public forum meant to ease the ongoing dispute between Oscar's Palm Springs and the Plaza Theatre instead highlighted frustration over who wasn't there.
The forum, organized by LMC Group founder Kristen Carroll, was intended to bring together representatives from Oscar's Palm Springs, the Plaza Theatre, Oak View Group and the City of Palm Springs to discuss the ongoing disagreement over the Plaza Theatre's use of space inside the Oscar's building.
While Dan Gore, Oscar's owner, and dozens of community members attended, representatives from Oak View Group, the Plaza Theatre and the City of Palm Springs did not.
The absence drew criticism from audience members, many of whom questioned why key parties chose not to participate.
"It's disappointing to not see the rest of the players here," Dan Gore said. "I had a lot of support here. People were here to listen and I think that's important."
Carroll said she was encouraged by the community's turnout, even though the discussion did not include all sides.
"What surprised me was the passion that was there and how much it meant to people," Carroll said. "The seed was planted. People aren't always ready to hear that right away, but if a seed is planted, it takes time for it to grow."
She said the strong public response could eventually encourage the absent parties to join future discussions.
"When the groundswell of the community gets to the point of a critical mass, you can't ignore it anymore," Carroll said.
Carroll said she plans to continue reaching out to all parties involved until she gets answers and plans to organize additional public forums.
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — A public forum hopes to bring together those at the center of the ongoing dispute between Oscar's Palm Springs and the Plaza Theatre.
The forum follows News Channel 3's reporting last week over the theater's request to continue using space inside the Oscar's building. Gore had said negotiations broke down because the compensation offered for the space known as the "Green Room" was not enough.
Ahead of Wednesday's discussion, Gore said he hopes holding the conversation publicly can help move the issue forward.
"Let's talk about it publicly. I've reached out to them multiple times in the past couple years," Gore said.
The forum is being organized by LMC Group founder Kristen Carroll, who said she wanted to create an opportunity for dialogue before the disagreement creates a lasting divide within the Palm Springs community.
"It's really about using this one opportunity of discourse to find a way to how do we handle these things and raise each other up," Carroll said.
Invitations have been extended to representatives from Oscar's Palm Springs, the Plaza Theatre, Oak View Group, the City of Palm Springs, and other community leaders. As of Tuesday, Gore is the only key participant who has confirmed he will attend.
Carroll acknowledged some invited parties may choose not to participate but said the discussion will move forward regardless.
"I'm prepared for either scenario. I really hope they do. I understand if there's hesitation," Carroll said. "My goal is to represent anyone who's not there in a spirit of openness and to advocate for everyone in a spirit of collaboration and moving forward."
Whether or not everyone shows up, both Carroll and Gore said they remain hopeful the conversation can lead to common ground.
"For the sake of the community and city... we must continue to work together to come to some sort of agreement where we both succeed."
News Channel 3 also reached out to Oak View Group. A spokesperson declined a request for an interview and said they could not confirm whether representatives plan to attend Wednesday night's forum.
The community conversation begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Palm Springs Cultural Center and is open to the public.
Stay with News Channel 3 for more.
