As you may know from reading up on the downtown movie theater subject, there has been significant speculation of what would happen since The Plaza officially opened in early ’07. We heard that one movie company picked it up and then dropped it. Then we heard that the large and reputable AMC Company picked it up
and would open many many moons ago. Just this past week, we now know that AMC scrapped plans to open the 12-screen theater off of Orange Avenue and Church Street all together. Despite valiant efforts by our cities Mayor to subsidize any movie company willing to take on the project, this one fell though.
I personally am not a huge movie-goer, but I would have liked to see this take shape. It would have added a different feel to downtown Orlando. Sure there is a great bar and party scene now, but what else is there for entertainment in the city’s core on a weeknight? The Performing Arts center is still years away from fruition and Magic/Preds games only happen part of the year.
All in all, I think it was pretty much expected with the downturn of the housing market, food price escalation, and recent economic woes. People are more cautious with their expendable income so it only makes sense that a movie theater in a less than thriving residential area would go sour. Just another bullet point on the list of let downs.
