Regal UA Lynbrook 6

Continued…

Local business owners say they are eager to have the new theater up and running as soon as possible, to capitalize on the added foot traffic in the area. Barbara Ferrufino, co-manager of the Cuzco Peru, which is attached to the theater, said that business has already taken a hit in the three weeks since it closed. “We weren’t really prepared for this,” she said, adding that couples often came to the restaurant before or after a screening. In an effort to compensate for the theater’s closing, she said, the restaurant would have to start spending money on advertising to attract more people, though she said she was optimistic that the new theater will ultimately help the business.

Erika Rojas, assistant manager of Cold Stone Creamery, on Broadway, said she estimated that sales have dropped by 15 percent since the theater closed, which wasn’t as bad as she had anticipated. “We just hope it comes faster,” she said with a laugh.

Chris Holmes, assistant manager of Burger Bandit, also on Broadway, said his business gets a lot of Rockville Centre moviegoers, and he didn’t think the closing would hurt business too much. He anticipated that the construction could even bring workers in for lunch. “They really just have to get better movies, to be honest,” Holmes said. “This one didn’t get ‘Avengers 2’ until like a month after it came out.”

Joe Carusone, owner of Vincent’s Pizzeria and Restaurant and Carvel, both on Atlantic Avenue, said he wasn’t concerned about the construction process. January is a slow month for most businesses anyway, he said, and ultimately, the new theater will be a good thing for the village. “In the future, I think it’s going to drive more people to the area,” Carusone said. “I think it’s going to be a great thing for the town as a whole.”

Photo added, to illustrate that development.

Just uploaded a pic of the theater I took yesterday morning, on the way to work. When I drove past again last night, the marquee was dark. I presume prep work for demolition will be starting any day, if it hasn’t already begun. Glass entrance doors had not yet been whitewashed as of last night. I wonder if I’d be able to persuade a worker to let me in when all the partitions and false ceilings are down, just to see if anything remains of the original interior design, before it’s all eradicated for good! Might be tough with my work schedule, to arrange for that, so if anyone else cares to try…

Renovated or torn down and rebuilt? That’s been the plan for the last decade or so.

The Nassau County Industrial Development Agency has approved tax benefits for this $32 million project. Benefits might include a sales tax exemption of up to $567,000 on the purchase of construction materials and equipment, a mortgage recording tax exemption of more than $284,000 and a 20 year payment-in-lieu of taxes agreement that freezes taxes for the first two years and then raises them incrementally for the remainder of the term. This from LI Business in Newsday.

Another words the public is going to get screwed.

I was hoping for the same, theatrefan. The Village responded to worries about how the new ugly box will fit in with the architectural “charm” of Lynbrook by saying that the renderings seen thus far are only suggestions, and that the finished facade would have to meet with their approval. They also claimed that they will have considerable input on the final exterior design.

However, that really doesn’t offer much solace. If you take a look at the new Zwanger Peseri Radiology facility that recently opened on Sunrise Hwy, between Atlantic and Union, you’ll realize that the Village doesn’t give a good damn about a structure blending in with the rest of the local environs. I’d also point to the newer portion of the Lynbrook Public Library as contrasted with the original building to which it is appended.

When I use to use to live out their, the Lynbrook was my least favorite. The sound system was mostly mono until 2000. The got DTS sound in only two screens late. The seats were uncomfortable and if it was crowded, mainly late 80’s and early 90’s. Peoples heads block my view of the film. I always like the Fantasy when it was renovated in 1989. The only thing I don’t live their anymore, so I can’t take advantage of the recliner seats. Saw it once.

When the theatre reopens in 2016, it going to get busy like Fresh Meadows because they will the lazy boy recliner seats. With 13 screens and less seats, most auditorium probably only seat 100 people.

OK, here’s the latest from the Lynbrook Herald on the proposed new theater:

A Q&A about the upcoming cinemas in Lynbrook by Mary Malloy

Due to a reporting error, in the story “Future attraction: Regal Cinemas 13,” it was erroneously stated the new movie theater in Lynbrook would increase its seating by 700 seats, when, at the time, it should have read 70 seats.

Since that story, the village reports that, based on revised drawings submitted by Regal, there will actually be a reduction in the number of seats — from the current 1,605 to 1,434 — 171 fewer seats. This was done to meet distance requirements from the power lines on the north side of Merrick Road, according to the Village.

Construction of Lynbrook’s long-awaited new movie theater will begin as soon as the project gets approval from the Nassau County Industrial Development Agency, and the work will keep the local cinema closed for more than a year, according to officials with the project’s contracting firm. The IDA will review the project’s impact on businesses in the area and approve any county tax exemptions. A decision to proceed with the work is expected soon. If approved, it would begin within three months, starting with the demolition of the existing theater.

Regal hired Blumenfeld Development Group for the planning and construction of the 77-foot tall building, which will feature new leather recliners and significantly enhanced lobby and concession areas.

To clarify the plans, and to address residents’ concerns and questions, Mayor Bill Hendrick and other village officials have agreed to address their concerns. The questions were culled from a combination of social media sites and conversations with residents, and the Lynbrook/East Rockaway Herald Facebook page.

      Q: The artist rendering looks huge! Will the new building be bigger in size, or just taller? How many parking spaces? Will there still be 13 screens with the 1,434 seats? 
              
                      A: The building will have 171 less seats and be 4 feet taller, plus a 5-foot parapet wall in the front. No additional parking will be provided, as the theater will accommodate fewer patrons. The 13 screens and 1,434 seats are far less than the 18 screens and 3,000 seats Regal originally wanted. The existing theater has 1,605 seats. 
              
                      Q: The current structure, which opened nearly a century ago, will be torn down after the project receives IDA approval. Isn’t this an historical building? Won’t this take away from the “quaint” feel of the village?
              
                      A: The building requires much maintenance and upgrades to repair roof leaks, plumbing and electric; although the building is old, it would not qualify for historical landmark status since there are no unique architectural characteristics or historic events.  As far as the quaint feel, we are always sensitive to maintaining Lynbrook’s suburban atmosphere. The Village will work with the architects on the final design.
              
                      Q: Will there be other landscaping done around the property? 
              
                      A: There will be additional landscaping on all four sides of the building, which include 25 large trees and over 350 small plantings.
              
                      Q: It was reported that Lynbrook would be without a movie theater for roughly 18 months. What other activities can residents take part in if they don’t want to go outside their community?
              
                      A: We have over 65 programs at Greis Park from basketball to yoga and arts and crafts! The library, too, offers an endless number of programs and resources for all ages.
                

Malverne always shows first-run films, just not the usual Hollywood fare.

I understand, nothing was saved from the old Shore theatre for the new one, Thank You robboehm.

robboehm, I see exactly what you mean, so much for adaptive reuse of an existing structure. It really does look like they ran out of money as it was being constructed.

What an ugly new building, just a bland yucky new box to replace a charming beautiful old building with true character, grace & style. So much for progress. Guess it will never get the Midway treatment like it was supposed to.

Two photos added — Lynbrook current and Lynbrook proposed.