Downtown Orlando Movie Theater Opens Next Week

Downtown is being set - up to get very busy and very crowded says, Downtown Development Board director, Thomas Chatman.  Chatman projects that Orlando's Cinema (a one-of-a-kind, entertainment destination) will bring 500,000-600,000 people into the downtown area per year. "We're not just getting movies back downtown. This will bring families into the area and benefit businesses all around," Orlando's first downtown movie theater in decades will have its grand opening May 28 and open to the public May 29, says James Duffy, chief executive of American Theater Corporation, which will run the Plaza Cinema Cafe.

The long-stalled theater project, a centerpiece of Mayor Buddy Dyer's downtown redevelopment plans, will open thanks to $6 million in incentives the city gave. The Plaza Theater will help to define the downtown area and connect people to the heart of the city. And it is not just what programming that goes on inside the theaters that makes an impact; in an urban setting, you have to also look outside the perimeters of the theater. The Plaza courtyard can become the grand lobby of the heart and soul of the city marketplace. Out of those interactions, other things happen - New restaurants and shops will open. And new partnerships -- educational, cultural or residential -- can start to bloom.

The theater had a July deadline for opening and needed "45 added days" of construction because space had to be reconfigured for a working kitchen, Duffy said it will be finished in time for the summer movie season. The cinema is scheduled to open in time for Disney- Pixar's digital 3D animated Up! In fall, it will have the Orlando Film Festival.

What a boost to Orlando's economy! If one used an extremely conservative estimate of $20.00 per patron in spending related to their theater visit (beyond ticket price), the economic impact would be $12 million annually. This could result in the infusion of millions of dollars to other businesses in downtown Orlando.

Go ORLANDO!