Council OKs Plan to Give New Theaters More Parking

City officials unanimously approved an agreement for the construction and management of a downtown parking structure Monday night, paving the way for a final agreement on the ambitious movie theater project as early as next week.

“This is the last big piece between the city, the developer and Century Theatres,” said Councilman Gary Tuttle, who heads the city’s Redevelopment Agency.

He anticipates that the final signatures on the planned multiplex theater project between developer Victor Georgino, Century Theatres and the city, will probably follow “right behind.”

Everett Millais, director of community services, said Monday’s agreement will allow the developer to move forward with acquiring the remaining property at the theater site.

City officials approved plans for a 10-screen downtown theater at the end of July. But Century Theatres demanded a guarantee that there would be enough parking for moviegoers before development could proceed.

The city already owns the land on the northeast corner of California and Santa Clara streets where the garage will be built, and has set aside money to erect the four-story, 525-space garage.

“The theater people were not going to build the theater unless the parking deal was set in cement,” said Councilman Jim Friedman, who also acts as vice-chair of the Redevelopment Agency.

Monday’s agreement fulfills those conditions.

Under the agreement, the city promises to use the parking structure for theater parking for 40 years. All parking will be free initially, but the city promises to continue providing free validation for those attending the cinemas.

It will take about $3 million to build the garage, but the city has not released figures on the costs of continued maintenance. The city has also agreed to help fund construction of the movie theater on the corner of Main and Santa Clara streets, a project city leaders hope will revitalize the downtown area.

Other city merchants are also eager for the downtown parking structure. Last year’s palm-planting, sidewalk-widening and street improvements bit into their profits because customers could not park conveniently nearby. And, after Main Street parking spots had been widened and re-angled, the number of already scarce spots shrank by 65.

But despite relief that there will be downtown parking at last, some shop owners are concerned about how the validation system will work.

Some council members voiced concern that shop owners will not want to be left out of any free validation guarantees given to the theaters. “I would expect the Downtown Assn. to be here in the near future asking for similar privileges,” said Councilman Ray Di Guillo.

The parking garage will fill a site now used for the Saturday morning farmers’ market, and city officials have worked with market organizers to find another spot.

The city hopes to settle on an aesthetically pleasing parking design by mid fall, and begin construction in March. It should be completed by the end of next year, well before the film reels start rolling.

The city is in the midst of the design process with International Parking Design.