Negotiators, U. finalize theater deal

Students will once again be able to see the latest movies without leaving campus. According to Associate Treasurer Chris Mason, the University is "very close to finalizing an arrangement" for the former AMC Walnut Mall 3 Theater location on 39th and Walnut streets. The AMC theater closed down when its lease ran out this month. Another theater near campus, the Erik 3 Campus Theater on 40th Street, closed down last August. Mason said the University is hoping to have a decision finalized by the middle of December, adding that he wants to open it up early next year. He said the University has spoken to four different operators, one of which is the Ritz Theater Company. Undergraduate Assembly member and College junior Eric Tienou said one of these four theaters has a strong lead in the negotiations. He added that although the UA has a minimal role in contract negotiations, several members have been closely involved with the process. "We have been there on behalf of students making sure that they go through with this," he said. Tienou said he is confident that the project will be completed in the near future. "I am overwhelmingly sure that we will have a theater back on campus next semester some time," he said. Mason disclosed that the theater will be showing "artsy movies to cater to a college campus." He added that this is a change from the action movies the AMC theater showcased. He added that it is not likely that the new operator will be part of a chain, although he has not ruled out the idea of the Ritz. "It is going to be an individual operator probably," he said. Mason said money was not the main focus of their decision. "The University is not going to get rich from this transaction-- that's for sure," he said. He added that the University's main focus is to fill the space to fulfill the need for a student theater. One criterion his department has requested from the operator is the willingness to work with student groups and the University, he said. He wants the new operator to make a screen available to student groups so they can show films, Mason added. "So far people have been receptive to it," he said. "No one has said no." Tienou said the University is exploring the idea of a co-op between the next theater company and the SPEC film society. Undergraduate Assembly member and College senior Dan Schorr said this would be a good idea because the Penn Film Society had wanted to use Irvine Auditorium for this purpose. He added that this will free up Irvine for performing arts space. As another solution for the lack of performing arts space on campus, the Erik 3 is going to be transformed into performing arts space, Schorr said. He said the Performing Arts Council has had an independent person analyze how much it will cost to transform the building into a performing arts center. "We will be getting these numbers imminently to the provost and the vice provost of university life," he said. "Then specific discussion about [the actual project] will begin." Schorr said he wants to have a basic outline and plan for funding by the end of this semester. He added that the UA hopes to implement this plan as soon as possible. Tienou said he is hopeful about the future of these projects. "I hope that by the beginning of next year both theaters will be operational -- one as a movie theater and the other as performing arts space," he said.