ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE DELAY!
Remember the Alamo? Drafthouse theater builders still hope for 2007 opening.
Monitor Staff Writer
October 1, 2007 - 1:18AM
Kyle Arnold
EDINBURG — The screens are dim at the Alamo Drafthouse months after the much anticipated movie theater and restaurant was expected to open.
In fact, crews haven’t hung the screens and most of the interior work at the cinema and its neighboring businesses isn’t complete.
Developers and owners first announced that the theater restaurant would open its doors, fire up its grills and start rolling projectors in March.
But after many delays, builders have pushed back the starting date until at least December, hopefully in time to catch part of the lucrative holiday blockbuster season, said developer Paul Garza.
The sheer scope of the project and unexpected costs has pushed back Alamo Drafthouse’s opening and the rest of the Trenton Crossroads project, he said.
“There has never been a ground-up Alamo Drafthouse,” Garza said, noting that all the existing Alamo Drafthouse locations were converted from older movie theaters.
“And this is the first one that’s over 800 people. What we’ve got is different than anything in the whole (Rio Grande) Valley.”
Construction at the 20-acre site at the northeast corner of Trenton and Jackson roads has temporarily stopped while the development company Garza heads — One Orion Properties — refinances for funds to finish the site. He said the bank asked him to stop work so the property’s value wouldn’t change while they arranged more financing.
Work should restart in the next few weeks, he said.
“We are about 86 percent done,” he said.
Several restaurants, a bowling alley and other retail businesses are also expected to go up at the site.
Owners of the Drafthouse franchise in South Texas say the cinema’s management team has been hired and the rest of its 140-person workforce should be employed after an opening date is announced.
Monitor Staff Writer
October 1, 2007 - 1:18AM
Kyle Arnold
EDINBURG — The screens are dim at the Alamo Drafthouse months after the much anticipated movie theater and restaurant was expected to open.
In fact, crews haven’t hung the screens and most of the interior work at the cinema and its neighboring businesses isn’t complete.
Developers and owners first announced that the theater restaurant would open its doors, fire up its grills and start rolling projectors in March.
But after many delays, builders have pushed back the starting date until at least December, hopefully in time to catch part of the lucrative holiday blockbuster season, said developer Paul Garza.
The sheer scope of the project and unexpected costs has pushed back Alamo Drafthouse’s opening and the rest of the Trenton Crossroads project, he said.
“There has never been a ground-up Alamo Drafthouse,” Garza said, noting that all the existing Alamo Drafthouse locations were converted from older movie theaters.
“And this is the first one that’s over 800 people. What we’ve got is different than anything in the whole (Rio Grande) Valley.”
Construction at the 20-acre site at the northeast corner of Trenton and Jackson roads has temporarily stopped while the development company Garza heads — One Orion Properties — refinances for funds to finish the site. He said the bank asked him to stop work so the property’s value wouldn’t change while they arranged more financing.
Work should restart in the next few weeks, he said.
“We are about 86 percent done,” he said.
Several restaurants, a bowling alley and other retail businesses are also expected to go up at the site.
Owners of the Drafthouse franchise in South Texas say the cinema’s management team has been hired and the rest of its 140-person workforce should be employed after an opening date is announced.
posted by THE POLITICAL RING | 7:41 AM
17 Comments:
I think that whole strip mall looks awesome, but who were the geniuses behind the idea of landscaping way too prematurely? I mean c'mon they placed bolder stones, grass, palm trees etc. I would think that landscaping would be the icing on the cake. Well hope things work out accordingly with that mall. I for one am looking forward to frequenting that movie house. I must add that the city has been a bit sluggish in completing some of there projects. For Example the PD station is still in womb, developing ever so lethargically. City Hall, a massive undertaking, is still in its 5th trimester. Oh and what is to become of the Old Robert's Chevrolet dealership on closner blvd? I understand that is County property now. I hear offices or parking lot is the next thing to occupy that location, BORING! We need some more CORPORATE PRESENCE to help beautify a stanant community. I love my community, dont get me wrong, its just we need more aesthetics north of the courthouse.
I too want to see the Draft House open! I know it will happen soon. Believe it or not, the city hall is not that far behind. The contract completion date is end of December. There has been a few days added because the scope added work (i think around 30 days). I took a tour and they are already putting up sheetrock inside. The PD is a little slow but remember there was demo that needed to be done. I also beleive that this one will be on time. As to the Roberts building, well I have been talking to the county about adding matching landscaping on the Closner side. There is a very nice plaza being built to the east of the county soon to be parking lot. I have asked that the county mirror that.
North of that Roberts building has just become so delapidated with prostitutes, a raunchy bar, taxi, and bus services all types of breeding grounds for SOME REALLY BAD ELEMENT. Van Week and 5th Street is SO GROSS LOOKING that it clashes with the beauty of the University and School Administration Building. It's been the same old delapidated area regardless of who's in office. There government homes with grass 3 ft tall and the city hasn't touched it in months. I have to admit the New City Hall and University are the only Entities Contributing to the Nice looking Landscape Aesthetics in that Area. The infestation of Raunchy element ie broken down frame homes, weedy lots, and parked vehicles on lawns seems to be the norm in that area. Most of that Area should be a great place to have some University Student living, But Instead our City fails to beautify it or at least clean it up. BAROID seems to be tearing up that part of town really bad and the chemicals they use can prove to be harmful agents. That BAROID occupies about 5-7 city blocks and is destroying it all to pieces. WHY HASN'T ANYTHING BEEN DONE? THE CITY OR UNIVERSITY CAN DECLARE IMINANT DOMAIN ON PROPERTY, SO WHY HASN'T THE CITY DONE OR ATTEMPTED TO DO SOMETHING?
"That BAROID occupies about 5-7 city blocks and is destroying it all to pieces. WHY HASN'T ANYTHING BEEN DONE? THE CITY OR UNIVERSITY CAN DECLARE IMINANT DOMAIN ON PROPERTY, SO WHY HASN'T THE CITY DONE OR ATTEMPTED TO DO SOMETHING?"
Declare imminent domain. This is an EXPENSIVE move. We would have to buy 5-7 city blocks, clean up the area, then maybe sale it later? We have tried to make offers to get them to Industry Park north of town. Don't have a good answer for that one yet, however I agree that they are tearing up that area. I think maybe there should be another charge from our EDC to make the move a little more attractive. As to 5th and Van Week, I am aware of the problem. When I first married we lived in a nice frame house on Van Week and 5th area. I know the section 8 housing that you are talking about; they all belong to one owner! I will send inspector out tomorrow. On another note the speeding truck has been identified and the director told.
Any word on the video or the cover-up in Mission ring master?
I'm just curious as to who owns or owned the land before it was either sold or leased to the strip mall developer where the Drafthouse is located???
For you two scholars, it is Eminent Domain - with an "e" not an "i".
Ring Master or Comm. why not take the Edinburg grandfather clause not allowing fraternities and sororities allowed in the Edinburg city limits off the books. These fraternities and sor. have national accounts and big money is pushed paying property taxes and marketing Panam as a top university with a great greek living. Designate the van week street as a greek street? The Phi Sig house on 9th & van week has been running since the early 40's and is a landmark in my opinion. The house was there before the city implemented these rules and brings in internatinal students to live and spend money in Edinburg. It would be great to see a West campus area like in Austin here in the RGV. Just a thought it would be great to hear your opinions.
I didn't relieze that was in the books. I would be more than glad to sit and talk about that. Also,sorry for the wrong spelling.
just curious... The Pena family, as in Rep. Aaron Pena.
Political Ring, look at this link. Car dealership racist ads aren't immune in liberal Austin.
Ford Dealership
come on that not racists it talking about AC in the seats or mabe you havent been in a car with leather seats your back sweats dont think there calling us wet backs it say are you tired of wet backs from leather seats
Been out of town and just got back last night. So here I go,
Mr.Espinoza,
always a pleasure to hear back from in my opinion our only councilman with a pair to put his own take on things publicly. Thank you for your response, I know we may not always agree, but I always respect your responses.
7:10,
no response on Saenz-Gate, everything is pretty much tight-liped over in that camp.The longer that camp stays quiet, the more people will speculate. Very bad decision making in that camp so far to stay quiet.
Just Curious,
NO, dont know who owned that land on trenton prior to that strip mall. But I will look into it.
9:14,
I make mistakes in spelling on purpose sometimes, just to display that I am human and that I make mistakes as well. Helps keep me grounded.HA! just joking, thanks for the correction.
greek bronc,
great idea on van week being a frat and sor. street, anything is better than what is presently going on in that area. so yeah, anything positive that will bring more pleasant asthetics is fair game to me. I would support such move greatly.
strange bedfellows,
will take a peak at that link.
People keep on blogging its great hearing from you.
Wondering if the Drafthouse will ever open.
many of the statements made in this report are false. the alamo drafthouse lamar in austin texas was build from the ground up as was the alamo ritz theatre in downtown austin. the place was gutted down to dirt floors. only the exterior wall was kept in tact. i wish these guys the best but it looks to me like a failed partnership.
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