By Macy Meinhardt, V&V Staff, CA Local News Fellow
The Educational Cultural Complex (ECC) theatre, a cornerstone of arts, culture, and activism in San Diego’s Mt. Hope community since 1972, will undergo a transformative $50 million renovation to preserve its historic legacy while modernizing the space for future generations.
“This theater is an investment in access, excellence and equity,” said San Diego Community College District Board President Geysil Arroyo during the groundbreaking ceremony on May 8.
Dr. Tina King, President of the ECC campus, spoke with pride as she emceed the event and introduced the list of individuals who helped champion the renovations into fruition. The multimillion-dollar project has been in the works since 2021, when California Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins announced a $35 million renovation grant for the historic ECC theater. The local Measure HH bond, passed by voters in 2024 to target facility upgrades across the San Diego Community College District, has also added funding towards this project.
“We want to continue to create a college-going culture throughout the entire county, and it’s going to be the buildings that come out of Measure HH that will allow us to do that,” said Dr. Tina King.
The renovation will modernize the 275-seat theatre with new acoustic panels, upgraded sound and lighting systems and improved accessibility, including redesigned entries, foyers, and seating. Additional phases of the renovation will include a new community room for theatre overflow, and conversion of a classroom space into a “living museum” that honors ECC’s rich history of civil rights advocacy and diverse representation. Estimated project completion is slated for Dec. 2026.
“There is no better moment in our history than now to go through this renovation–a rebirth of such an important civil rights landmark and an important education space in Southeast San Diego,” said Gregory Smith, Chancellor of the San Diego Community College District.
For generations, the ECC stage has held space for ‘talent, truth, and change, ’ hosting legendary Black icons like Coretta Scott King, Maya Angelou, and Stevie Wonder.
“Let’s ensure ECC remains a home for education, empowerment and excellence. Let this groundbreaking mark the beginning of a new era for ECC theater, one filled with opportunity, creativity and community,” said Yvette Porter Moore, who is on the Historic Preservation Committee.
The ceremonial event, held on ECC’s West Lawn, concluded with a symbolic performance by local artist Khalil Bleux, followed by a dirt-shoveling photo op to mark the official groundbreaking of the theatre’s renovation.
“Thank you all for being a part of history,” said ECC President Tina King as she concluded the event.
