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finally closed. In 1975, the San Jose Fox was purchased by Dr.
Jose Borges for $300,000. Dr. Borges wished to preserve the
historic splendor of the theater and to reopen it for use as a
movie theater. Consistent with this, Dr. Borges spent
approximately $700,000 for artistic restoration of the ceiling
and walls of the auditorium. The seating and all carpeting were
removed. However, Dr. Borges never reopened the San Jose Fox for
business.
In September 1985, the Redevelopment Agency of the City of
San Jose (Redevelopment Agency) purchased the San Jose Fox from
Dr. Borges for $2,010,000 in cash. The Redevelopment Agency
planned to revitalize downtown San Jose which, at that time, was
rather seedy. At the time of its purchase by the Redevelopment
Agency, the San Jose Fox had been dark since 1974 and was not in
operating condition. There were neither seats nor carpeting in
the theater, and the entire theater needed cleaning, refinishing,
and restoration. Additionally, the San Jose Fox was without a
ticket sales office, concession or food service areas, and public
restrooms to serve the ground floor seating area. The balcony
restrooms needed expansion, and there was no handicapped access.
The theater required, among other things, upgraded plumbing,
electrical (including lighting) and HVAC systems, a new audio
system, and seismic reinforcement.
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