Mammoth Arts and Cultural Center

MACC Project - 2025 Updated Design / Approval Process

MACC Photo Sim1

Major Design Review Application 

A Major Design Review application for the Mammoth Arts and Cultural Center (MACC) project was submitted to the Planning Division on June 26, 2024. An Advisory Design Panel meeting was held on July 25, 2024, to review the updated MACC project design.  The project design is scaled back compared with the original approval by the Planning and Economic Development Commission in 2019. The redesign effort was undertaken due to shortfalls in financing for the project and high construction and operational costs. The Town and the Mammoth Lakes Foundation collaborated on developing a viable project design with a possible groundbreaking this summer (2025).

CEQA Addendum to the 2019 Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (SCH No. 2019042023)

The updated design of the MACC project is consistent with the scope of development that was analyzed in the November, 2023, Addendum to the Initial Study/Negative Declaration.  The CEQA Addendum can be reviewed here.

Upcoming PEDC Meeting May 14, 2025

The Planning and Economic Development Commission will consider Major Design Review Application #DR 24-004, for the Mammoth Arts and Cultural Center (MACC) project on May 14, 2025.  The updated project consists of the addition of an approximately 7,482 square foot performing arts theatre attached to the east side of the existing Edison Hall building located  in the Public/Quasi Public zoning district at 100 College Parkway. 

Original Approvals and Project History

The MACC project was approved by the Planning and Economic Development on Wednesday, April 10, 2019. The staff report and video of the meeting is available here.

Design Review (DR) 17-002

The Mammoth Arts and Cultural Center project is located at 100 College Parkway to the east of the existing Edison Theater and north of College Parkway. The Mammoth Arts and Cultural Center (MACC) project includes a new performing arts theater and other site improvements such as walkways and rebuilding the existing parking lot as part of Phase 1. Phase 2 will include an outdoor amphitheater and a new parking lot. The MACC is intended to be a year-round venue for performing arts events, including live theater, musical performances, films, lectures, conferences, and community activities. There is also the option for other special events to be scheduled. The performing arts theater will have 298 seats and the outdoor amphitheater will accommodate approximately 500 people. The MACC is the result of a partnership between the Mammoth Lakes Foundation, Cerro Coso Community College, Town of Mammoth Lakes, and private donors. 

The Planning and Economic Development Commission (PEDC) approved the project on April 10, 2019. The Resolution approving the project will be available here soon. 

The project is subject to the Town’s General Plan, Zoning Code, Design Guidelines, and Color Handbook, all of which are available for review on this website. A Major Design Review application for the MACC project was submitted to the Town in August 2017 in order to initiate the environmental review process (no building or site plans were submitted). By April 2018, the materials required for the ADP design review had been received and after staff analysis of the submittal was complete, a meeting of the ADP was scheduled. The sections below describe the project’s progress through the Advisory Design Panel to the Planning and Economic Development Commission.

Advisory Design Panel, June 8, 2018

Advisory Design Panel, October 1, 2018

Advisory Design Panel, October 30, 2018

Environmental Review, pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

The Town of Mammoth Lakes has determined that the project is subject to the guidelines and regulations of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Town has contracted with Michael Baker International (MBI) to prepare an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration. The Draft Initial Study/Mitigation Negative Declaration was available for public review during the 30-day public review period from January 11, 2019 to February 11, 2019. 

The Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration responds to comments received during the public review period. 

For additional project information, please contact Sandra Moberly, Community and Economic Development Director at smoberly@townofmammothlakes.ca.gov or (760) 965-3633.