A San Francisco live music nightclub that has drawn big names in the music industry may soon open at the longtime vacant UC Theater on University Avenue.

Slim's, founded in 1988, is in discussion with Gordon Commercial Real Estate Services and the city's Department of Economic Development to open another branch at UC Theater, which has stood vacant for six and a half years.

If Slim's is brought into the theater, many say it could draw large amounts of student traffic and help revitalize the Downtown area.

Daniella Thompson, the Web site editor of the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association, said a reason for the theater's long vacancy is that Downtown Berkeley is not a financially healthy area.

"(There are a) lot of empty storefronts, lots of failing businesses," she said. "It would cost a lot of money to lease (the theater) and convert it. Single theater cinemas don't make economic sense anymore."

Thompson said there have been several plans to use the building, but nothing ever materialized. She added that if a new music venue was to come to the theater, it would do much to liven up the arts scene in the area.

The site has been vacant since 2001 when Landmark Theatres, which was the owner of the theater since 1974, was forced to close when it was not able to retrofit the building.

In 2002, the theater, which was built in 1917, was designated a landmark by the Berkeley Landmarks Preservation Commission.

Terry Blount, secretary of the commission, said if negotiations are successful and Slim's occupies the landmark, any exterior alterations would require review under the city's landmark preservation ordinance.

Aaron Sage, senior planner of the city's Planning and Development Department, said the theater has already been granted a use permit to open a jazz club from a failed business venture in 2005. Since the use permit is still in effect, Slim's would only have to verify any changes and would require approval from the zoning adjustment board only if any of them were substantial.

While the venue could add a new dynamic to the city's music scene, similar established businesses are worried about competition in light of the strained market.

"It's still nearby competition for people's entertainment dollars, especially in this economy (where) there are less (dollars)," said Susan Pleck, graphics coordinator of Ashkenaz Music & Dance Community Center, a concert venue that has been in Berkeley for more than 35 years.

Pleck said Ashkenaz, located on San Pablo Avenue, could be off students' radars because it is not in close proximity to campus. Despite the competition, Pleck is unconcerned about overlap of shows and said Slim's presence in Berkeley would be advantageous.

"Promoting live music in Berkeley overall seems like a positive addition," she said.

Tags: UC THEATER, UNIVERSITY AVENUE, SLIM'S