Industry Noize: Jersey Nonprofit’s Venue Victory

The nonprofit group that runs Landmark Loew’s Jersey Theatre in New Jersey has won a court victory that could keep it in charge of the venue rather than AEG, which wants to take over management of the venue.

Photo: facebook.com/landmarkloewsjersey

Friends of the Loew’s convinced a superior court judge that it has a valid lease with Jersey City. The judge overturned his previous ruling that the lease was not valid, according to the Jersey Journal.

Mayor Steve Fulop is pushing for AEG to be facility manager of the former moive palace.

FOL argues that the management change will turn the Jersey Theatre into a commercial concert venue rather than an arts center, according to the paper.

FOL argued that the city gave it two five-year extension options. The city argued that since it never ratified the request for FOL’s lease extension, the lease was null and void.

“The judge said, ‘I was wrong,” FOL attorney Roberta Tarkan told the paper. “We’re back to square one.”

A city spokeswoman said the decision was a “procedural step” and won’t change the future. She added that AEG has pledged to allow FOL to host at least 20 concerts per year at the theatre.

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