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Territorial Dispatch

State Theater’s Ongoing Saga: A Timeline of Disputes

Jan 23, 2025 09:54AM ● By Shamaya Sutton

The historical State Theater, located at 515 E St. in Marysville, has remained “untouched” since 1996. Photo by Shamaya Sutton


MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - Days after the Hotel Marysville caught fire last June, CBS News 13 reported an attempted break-in at the historic State Theater in Marysville. During the broadcast, Don Melvin, identified as an alleged owner during the interview, stated that he was “on his own” with “no help from the city” in regard to preserving this piece of Marysville history. 

The attempted break-in reportedly caused damage to a steel door and several other entry points to the theater. Melvin told broadcasters that he would be patrolling the area to ensure that the building remained untouched. 

Ironically, the theater has remained shuttered and “untouched” for nearly three decades. In 2017, Melvin was identified by another local news publication as the State Theater’s property manager with George Benny and Eva Hollo being the official owners under California Partners LLC. Over the years the State Theater has sparked a number of conflicts between its owners and the City of Marysville over cited code violations, fines and alleged discrimination. Here’s a detailed account of the long-running saga:

Timeline of Events

February 2006

The City of Marysville issues its first "Notice to Correct" to the owners of the State Theater, citing code violations. Necessary improvements include repairs to the marquee, roof, walls, and fire-damaged interior.

The owners request and are granted an extension.

2006-2007

Repairs are partially completed but progress stalls. The marquee remains unrepaired and owners fall out of compliance.

The city imposes fines, which the owners unsuccessfully appeal four times.

May, 2008

The owners accuse city officials of mail fraud and ethnic discrimination, claiming notices were sent to the wrong address.

They allege federal agents have advised them not to speak to city officials, asserting that the FBI is investigating the city.

City officials deny any knowledge of an FBI investigation.

At this point, the owners owe $18,000 in fines.

August 2008

The city undertakes repairs to the marquee, billing the owners $6,300.

January, 2009

The Marysville City Council votes to file a lien against the State Theater to recover $47,031.65 in fines and administrative costs.

Don Melvin requests an extension, citing George Benny’s health issues. The council denies the request.

1998-2016

City records show that the State Theater was last inspected by the fire department in 1998. During this time, conflicts between the city and the owners persist.

November 2016

Fire inspectors attempt to inspect the theater but are denied access. A warrant is obtained to conduct the inspection, revealing numerous fire code violations, including vehicles in the lobby, cushions and other debris.

May, 2017

The owners appeal a $100 fine for failing to correct fire code violations, arguing that stacking cushions as required is impossible in the space.

The City Council denies the appeal, declaring the property a public nuisance.

Fire Inspector Julie Gibbs sets a compliance deadline of May 20, 2017. Noncompliance will result in escalating fines of $200 and $300 per day.


The historical State Theater, located at 515 E St. in Marysville, has remained “untouched” since 1996. Photo by Shamaya Sutton


Next Steps
Typically, if fines and liens on a building remain unpaid, a city can take action such as placing a lien on the property, initiating foreclosure proceedings to sell the property, demolishing the building if deemed a public nuisance or taking the property owner to court to recover the outstanding debt, including legal fees.
The Territorial Dispatch reached out to both Jim Schaad, Marysville city manager, and Dan Flores, Marysville Community Development director but did not receive a response other than that there were “no updates at this time” from Schaad. Whether the city or its fire department ever successfully collected the fines imposed on the theater's owners has yet to be confirmed.  Attempts to contact the property’s owners were also fruitless, as of press time.