Original Theater: The first theater, the T&D Photoplay, is built on East Main Street in Stockton, California in 1916. The T&D was leveled in 1929 and a new theater, the Fox California was built

Cost of Fox theater: Fox West Coast Theaters invested nearly half a million dollars to build the Fox California in 1930

Renovation of Foxtheater: Renovations began in 1995 and will be completed by September 18, 2004

Organizations Involved in the Renovation:
Downtown Stockton Alliance
Friends of the Fox
Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce
Private businesses
Stockton City Government

Cost of Renovation: $8.5 million

Funding:

• Congress awarded $515,000
• Private businesses donated $250,000
• The Redevelopment Agency invested approximately $6.55 million
• The state of California awarded a $300,000 California Heritage Fund Grant. Additional state grants totaled $385,000
• Stockton resident and developer Alex G. Spanos donated $500,000

Name: At the request of Alex Spanos, the City Council voted to name the theatre after one of the country's best known entertainers - Bob Hope

Events: The theatre will be used for live performances, cinema, private parties and other special events.

Project Manager: John Hinson

General Manager: Charles Kemp

Management Company: International Facilities Group (IFG)

Capacity: 2,042 seats

Renovation Projects:

• Renovation of the marquee and Fox sign
• Completely refurbished seating
• New acoustic plaster
• Cleaning and restoration of decorative murals and painting
• State-of-the-art sound
• Lights and rigging systems
• Restored light fixtures
• Expanded restroom facilities and concessions

Special Features:

• The theatre is listed on the National Register of Historical Places
• A carved granite sidewalk designed by professional artists will be installed along the front exterior of the theatre
• A marble mosaic floor encompasses a 1,200 square foot space in the center of the lobby. The marble was imported from Italy and the mosaic was designed by a Canadian artist.
• A 1928 Robert Morton theater organ, which was last played in the Seattle Fox Theatre over 40 years ago, was restored and donated to the theatre by The Friends of the Fox, a volunteer organization that has been instrumental in preserving the theatre. Once restored, the organ will be worth between $160,000 and $200,000

About the Management Company:

International Facilities Group (IFG) is a full-service company that provides key strategic planning, project development and management services for state-of-the-art sports and entertainment facilities. For over 18 years, IFG's managing members and personnel have been on the front lines of the sports and entertainment facility industry, successfully participating in excess of two billion dollars worth of development projects. IFG presently oversees the operations of the newly created Stockton Sports Arena and Complex, as well as Stockton’s renovated Bob Hope Theatre. Additional customers include U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago; Comerica Park, Detroit; Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio; and American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida among others. For more information visit www.ifgroup.cc.

About the city of Stockton:

The city of Stockton is one of California's fastest growing communities. Stockton is currently the 12th largest city in California with a dynamic, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural population of over 260,000. The city is undergoing a tremendous economic expansion and is aggressively revitalizing its downtown. Projects underway in the downtown area along the waterfront include an indoor arena, baseball stadium, hotel, apartments, retail and housing. Stockton is also constructing retail and entertainment centers at the gateways of the city. The National Civic League has awarded the city of Stockton with the 2004 All America City award. Stockton is one of ten cities in the country to receive the award and was also a 1999 award winner. The city was also ranked 14th in job growth by Forbes magazine