After years of being the only theater in town, Carmike Cinemas will soon see competition from a new theater in Stillwater.
The theater will have 12 screens, all stadium seating, concessions and video games.
ShowBiz Cinemas hopes to break ground as soon as possible and open in spring 2009, said Kevin Mitchell, CEO of ShowBiz Cinemas.
Mitchell also said the theater is working with the university to offer a park and ride program.
The theater will be on the west side of the city along Highway 51 at 5499 W. 6th St.
Members of the Stillwater City Council also serve as trustees on the Industrial and Redevelopment Authority and approved a development assistance agreement with ShowBiz Cinemas at Monday’s meeting.
Members expressed excitement about the new theater.
“We appreciate your faith in our community,” said Mayor Roger McMillian. “We can hardly wait until the ribbon cutting in the spring.”
The theater will have a large common area that will feature café seating, video games and concessions that will offer fresh popcorn, hot dogs, nachos, candy, sodas, gourmet coffee and ice cream, according to the plans. The 40,000 square foot building will also feature comfortable rocking seats, cup holder armrests, state-of-the-art sound, digital projection and wall-to-wall screens, according to plans.
The park and ride program is still in the works but would allow students to park in the theater lot and take a bus to class.
“We hope to develop a good partnership with the university,” said Mitchell.
Through ticket sales, concessions and merchandise, it is expected that the theater will annually produce $3,375,000 and over seven years, it is expected to produce $29,500,000 in revenue, according to the assistance agreement.
The city will collect $1,031,452 in sales tax over this period of time, according to the agreement.
Stillwater Star West managing partner, Howard Aufleger of CStar said he’s been trying to get a new theater in Stillwater for five years and it hasn’t been easy.
“Without the help of the city, without the help of OSU, it would’ve never happened,” he said.
He said he thinks it will truly make a difference in Stillwater.
The City Council also approved a preliminary design for a new student apartment complex.
The complex, Stillwater Flats, is expected to create 173 new beds for students.
The property will be located on Miller Avenue between Duncan and Husband Streets.
The complex is expected to open for August 2009, said Matt Lewis of Rivendell Development.
Construction is expected to begin in May.
The four-story complex will offer one, two and four-bedroom apartments, a courtyard with a pool and a parking garage with an access gate and 168 vehicle spaces and 66 bicycle spaces.
Lewis said the plans originally allowed for 149 spaces but after hearing complaints it was changed to 168 spaces.
The Council also approved a special use permit and a drilling permit for proposed oil drilling behind Staples.
It also approved on second reading Ordinance 3026 that would allow alcohol to be consumed in downtown areas, including part of Main Street.
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