Denver approves seasonal commercial outdoor cinema in city park

posted by CSWalczak on January 27, 2010 at 10:37 am

DENVER, CO — For thirty days during the next three summers, movie patrons in the Mile High City will have a movie-going alternative. The city has approved a contract with US Open Air LLC to operate a 1,400 seat operation. Films will be shown on a screen thirty feet tall in an outdoor area of Denver’s Civic Center in 2010, and in Denver’s City Park in 2011 and 2012. Tickets will be $15 in advance and $20 at the site. Some Council members objected to the commercialization of a historically public space.

A 30-foot-tall screen would be lowered each day, although the grandstand, nearly the same height, would remain in place. The shows are proposed for Civic Center this summer and in City Park for the summers of 2011 and 2012.

Supporters said it represents a wonderful opportunity for the city to make some money while detractors said the city will receive only a pittance compared with what the operator stands to earn. Open Air has operated similar packages in cities around the world for roughly 20 years. This would be its first showing in North America.

Here’s the full story from the Denver Post.