Screamatorium request spurs review in Yuba City

A nonprofit's request to use a closed Yuba City fire station for the Screamatorium, a Halloween fundraiser, has spurred a city review of the site because costs to make the building fire safe could reach $90,000.

The City Council, meeting Tuesday, made the request after members praised the Screamatorium project that in its first year raised $15,000 for River Valley and Yuba City high schools.

But the council said estimated costs for improvements, including fire sprinklers at the station on Walton Avenue that's been closed for three years, require review by the city staff. Ray Garnett, who with Charles Harrold created the Screamatorium Haunted Attraction, said Screamatorium in its first year had been in a building behind Cool Hand Luke's restaurant on Highway 20, but that the nonprofit has been looking for a new location for the event.

Jim Mathews, fire marshal for Yuba City, noted the purpose of the Screamatorium is to disorient people, so the site requires higher safety standards.

"This building does have some issues," Councilman John Dukes said of the Walton Avenue property.