By Jorge Casuso
August 11, 2026 – Can the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium make a comeback as a live entertainment venue? That's the question the City hopes to answer by entering into an Exclusive Negotiation Agreement (ENA) with a major entertainment firm.
The City Council on Tuesday is expected to authorize the City Manager to negotiate an agreement with AEG Presents -- the world's second-largest presenter of live music and entertainment events -- to explore whether it makes financial sense to redevelop and operate the shuttered historic structure as a sustainable entertainment venue.
The agreement, City staff wrote in a report to the Council, "provides a framework for AEG to apply its expertise as a leading live entertainment promoter and venue operator to evaluate the Civic's market potential, operational needs, redevelopment requirements, and financial feasibility."
"Together, these efforts would help the City determine whether the Civic represents a viable, financially sustainable opportunity that advances the City's economic development and community objectives," staff wrote.
The Council's action comes less than one month after Revitalization Partners Group, LLC (RPG) dropped its plan to restore and operate the 65-year-old structure that closed in 2013. The group, which included top-ranking concert promoters, had continued with the plan after a year of talks failed to result in what Councilmembers worried was little more than a "big beautiful vision" and ended the negotiating agreement last October.
During the ENA, the group did not submit documentation to show that its plan to convert the Civic into an "immersive" high-tech venue for live music concerts, award shows and special events would make money, Councilmembers said.
The group -- composed of experts in live entertainment, real estate development, finance, historic preservation and public-private partnerships -- came together to pursue the project two years ago.
This time, the Council is negotiating with AEG Presents, the parent company of Goldenvoice, which was contracted by the City to plan and implement the Ocean Way Festival and built its reputation producing shows at the Civic.
Staff noted that the Exclusive Negotiating Agreement "does not approve a redevelopment project, grant development rights, or obligate either party to enter into a lease, Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA), or other binding agreement."
Instead, the proposed agreement "establishes an initial six-month period for the City and AEG to evaluate the Civic’s potential," as well as the pitfalls of trying to resurrect a seismically compromised structure that will require spending as much as $360 million to bring back.
AEG, City staff said, will retain technical experts and consultants to "assess the existing conditions, identify structural and building improvements, evaluate preliminary redevelopment concepts (and) estimate redevelopment and operating costs."
It will also "evaluate market demand and programming opportunities, identify potential financing strategies, and determine the project's overall financial feasibility."
The parties can extend the ENA for up to two 90-day periods, according to the proposed agreement.