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Downtown movie theater coming


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Anyone get the credit report/tax info/Moody Bond ratings yet on these guys? Just making sure we're applying consistent standards across the board :thumbsup:

All we have so far is:

Websites - check

Dude, I can throw in some very friggin preliminary renderings for good measure. Remember dark shadowy figure from Detroit, follow his money.

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Anyone get the credit report/tax info/Moody Bond ratings yet on these guys? Just making sure we're applying consistent standards across the board :thumbsup:

All we have so far is:

Websites - check

Although, a good WEBSITE does not equal financial stability :thumbsup:

Especially since they wish to buy PUBLICLY-OWNED land.

Kirco and Gershenson have no complaints to the BBB. ;)

Also, NA Berkowitz has been involved in the development of a number of movie theaters since 1981. Kirco's residential projects look pretty nice. Ramco Gershenson is a publicly traded company, and they look like a pretty profitable one with good growth.

I'm on the fence, but you know.. my gut feeling is that they can handle building a movie theater. :lol:

I think in this case, the quesiton is do you want it? The idea of combining residential development with a movie theater strikes me as being a bit odd. But I guess it's been done before and proven to be successful?

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Kirco and Gershenson have no complaints to the BBB. ;)

Also, NA Berkowitz has been involved in the development of a number of movie theaters since 1981. Kirco's residential projects look pretty nice. Ramco Gershenson is a publicly traded company, and they look like a pretty profitable one with good growth.

I'm on the fence, but you know.. my gut feeling is that they can handle building a movie theater. :lol:

Nice work francishsu! Although seriously, I think there should be some pretty strong guarantees tied into selling DDA owned land to private development. Especially if they want tax credits as well.

In many urban areas, residential sits atop of commercial, retail and entertainment. It's true mixed-use, and helps provide for a 24 hour environment. I guess it would be better than living over a bar, since movie theaters generally close around midnight.

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any chance this theatre will serve alcohol? or will be a carbon copy of the cookie cutter theaters we already have?

http://www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=57...tion%20Homepage

this is a portland, or movie theater out of a old school that has couches and lounge chairs in the theater and people come serve you beer & pizza. i think this would do well in the downtown area and i've been hoping for one ever since ive tried it in oregon.

I'd really like to see something different in a downtown theatre also. Maybe table/couch seating like mentioned - or at least classier (read: artsy/UICA?) films. Hopefully not all the neon gunk of the 'burb theaters. I imagine more of a return of the old DT theatres. Something to set the DT theatre apart.

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I'd really like to see something different in a downtown theatre also. Maybe table/couch seating like mentioned - or at least classier (read: artsy/UICA?) films. Hopefully not all the neon gunk of the 'burb theaters. I imagine more of a return of the old DT theatres. Something to set the DT theatre apart.

Yeah, somebody mentioned about how Jack Loeks should have built one long ago. The problem is that I can't stand those Celebration Cinemas with the neon and fireworks carpet. I hope one downtown doesn't look like those.... The Cinemarks at the malls, although not local, are much nicer and classier. I like that THEATRE marquee at Woodland. Hopefully we go closer to that feel than the "neon gunk".

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I would absolutely LOVE a throwback to the theatres of old.

The Regent Theatre is a great example.

Reminded me of a visit to the Chicago Theatre. They did an AWESOME job updating this theatre - though it's now for live shows. Wouldn't mind seeing something in this style - though probably a little more $$ than your neon palaces.

http://www.thechicagotheatre.com/about_history.htm

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I'd really like to see something different in a downtown theatre also. Maybe table/couch seating like mentioned - or at least classier (read: artsy/UICA?) films. Hopefully not all the neon gunk of the 'burb theaters. I imagine more of a return of the old DT theatres. Something to set the DT theatre apart.

While I think this is somewhat important, we can't lose sight of the fact that a good downtown has variety in the people living there. We want families to be able to live and be entertained d/t as well as the art/indie crowd.

I see something like the old Woodland theater (sort of). Maybe 1 or 2 theaters dedicated to the Art/Indie films, while the rest will be the mainstream "Finding Nemo 7" or whatever.

Guess my point is, I rather see the latest Blockbuster comedy movie as opposed to the latest Best of Show at Cannes or whatever. We need a good balance of d/t entertainment. We also don't want to force venues like UICA out of business by directly competing with them, which big chains could definately do (think Walmart vs. Joe's Market).

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As I understand, that Woodland Cinemark isn't doing so hot. And JD Loeks is on record saying a DT theater won't work.

Then again, in business, it's usually the market leader that resists change and the outsider/newcomer who's willing to take risks. Based on the state of the cinema industry, Loeks is probably just playing it safe to cover his a$$ and his margins.

Also, Loeks' statement in yesterday's press is a real conflict of interest. Of course he doesn't want a DT theater to succeed, he wants people to stay in the 'burbs and hit his venues.

I would love to see him proved wrong. But to be a draw it has to offer something different. Either Brew n' View, or better restaurants in the lobby, or higher quality projection, maybe even a delivery system that doesn't cost so much, like direct satellite distribution.

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The problem is that I can't stand those Celebration Cinemas with the neon and fireworks carpet. I hope one downtown doesn't look like those....

"fireworks carpet" made me laugh out loud. I think said carpet actually has some glow in the dark capability. Scary! Perhaps those in movie theatre interior design count on the fact that you spend the majority of the time in the dark, so it doesn't really matter what it looks like when the lights are up. They would be sadly mistaken. We definitely need a class act DT - complete with stellar interior design.

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"fireworks carpet" made me laugh out loud. I think said carpet actually has some glow in the dark capability. Scary! Perhaps those in movie theatre interior design count on the fact that you spend the majority of the time in the dark, so it doesn't really matter what it looks like when the lights are up. They would be sadly mistaken. We definitely need a class act DT - complete with stellar interior design.

I think the carpet is ugly by design... much like a Casino. Don't look at the floor, b/c it's ugly. Instead look at the walls where there's posters of upcomming movies. Don't look at the ceiling b/c it's either just black, or mirrors. 100% sales and marketing tactic.

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In the article, Berkowitz states that there are projects like this occurring all over the country in urban areas, and even within close proximity to GR (read: Kalamazoo). The theater there is going to be a RAVE brand, and it's a typical 12 screen Cinemark type. They might have 1 or 2 screens devoted to indies, but I'm not sure on that.

I would say though that if the downtown theater takes away from the butt-ugly Star on Alpine, so be it. :P Tear that sucker down and open up some of the best views of downtown to a much better use (maybe residential), especially since Cracker Barrel is going down too.

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As I understand, that Woodland Cinemark isn't doing so hot. And JD Loeks is on record saying a DT theater won't work.

When the GM of the celebration theatres (GM, VP, someone who should know what they're talking about) spoke in my fiance's communications class at GVSU a couple weeks ago she specifically asked (for me) if there would ever be a movie theatre downtown. He said no, it wouldn't work. So, at least the locals are supportive. :lol:

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I also think a new theater would have to be different that what we see in the burbs, and not just in design (although this is very important). There has to be a selling point of some kind, whether its seating, sound, or whatever. I don't think enough people will come to a downtown theater simply because it is downtown.

A new theater seems a little risky anyways, since movie ticket sales seem to be down and more movies come out of DVD so much sooner...not to mention for two people and some popcorn and sodas you can end up spending over $20 just to watch a movie. Oh, and 90% of movies nowadays are just awful. I'll just rent a DVD for 2.50 and make my own popcorn, thanks. I only go to the movies a few times a year.

That said, I am still excited and hope to see this get built!

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How many IMAX theaters do we need around here?

1 DT and 1 in the Burbs I guess. Going out to Knapp is a pain, and gas cost is almost the cost of a movie ticket! School groups and families would love to have one in such a central location.

btw Wood AM 1300's morning talk show is talking about it now for, if your're interested.

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"They might have 1 or 2 screens devoted to indies, but I'm not sure on that."

They dang well better!

To whom would I write or email to make sure they show indies (and foreign movies, and documentaries)?

This is the guy heading it up:

Neal Berkowitz

No e-mail address listing anywhere zen. You can try calling. He's a WMU grad BTW. :thumbsup:

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any chance this theatre will serve alcohol? or will be a carbon copy of the cookie cutter theaters we already have?

http://www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=57...tion%20Homepage

this is a portland, or movie theater out of a old school that has couches and lounge chairs in the theater and people come serve you beer & pizza. i think this would do well in the downtown area and i've been hoping for one ever since ive tried it in oregon.

I think Jon Rooks was hoping someone would use the auditorium space at Union Square to open a "brew and view" type theatre but I assume no one went for it. Too bad.

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