Krikorian Theater complex approved by Planning Commission

An aftist's rendering shows the proposed exterior of the Krikorian Theater complex at Menifee Town Center. Illustration courtesy of City of Menifee

Ground still hasn’t been broken, but some paperwork moved forward Wednesday – and that perhaps was even more significant.

The Menifee Planning Commission unanimously approved plans for the Krikorian Theater complex, promoted for more than three years as the crown jewel in what will become the Menifee Town Center on Newport Road, just west of Haun Road. Certainly, there are more papers to be pushed ahead, but this approval set the wheels in motion for groundbreaking that is expected sometime before the end of the year.

City planner Ryan Fowler’s presentation to the Planning Commission detailed specifics of the plan, which changed somewhat over the past year. As approved, the complex will include, among other amenities:

-- A 122,000-square-foot theater with 12 screens, including the largest movie screen in the nation – 100 feet wide and 54 feet tall.

-- A 9,320-square-foot sports-themed restaurant/bar with a 60-foot by 45-foot TV screen showing sports and other major events.

-- A 22-lane bowling alley.

-- A 7,200-square-foot gaming area, including laser tag.

“This is something we haven’t done before at this level,” said George Krikorian, president of Krikorian Premiere Theatres.

Only three of the five planning commissioners were present at the meeting: Earl Phillips, Chris Thomas and Mark Doty. They agreed on the basic concept of the plan, which included some requested exceptions to city building codes.

To accommodate the huge screen in the main theater auditorium, the plan was granted an exception of a 64-foot ceiling in that part of the building. The standard height limit is 50 feet. In addition, the plan was granted an extra wide frontage area of 15 feet to accommodate wider sidewalks for the expected large crowds.

The complex will also include a full-service restaurant, 12,500-square-foot multi-tenant building housing a restaurant and bank, and an outdoor plaza covering nearly 5,000 square feet.

The only real sticking point seemed to be the fact that the plan is split into two phases. The second phase – which is to include a 135,000-square-foot expansion to add four more theater screens and two additional 7,000-square-foot buildings to house restaurants and retail shops – will remain on hold when Phase 1 construction begins.

Krikorian explained that the delay in beginning Phase 2 is due to a shortage of required parking spaces for the additional businesses. Apparently, this issue was one of the main hold-ups in plan submissions.

“We thought the courthouse would be built at the same time,” Krikorian said, referring to a county courthouse approved as part of a civic center that would be part of Menifee Town Center. “We planned to have a shared parking agreement with the courthouse. But they’ve delayed moving forward on that.”

Because of the delay, Phase 2 can't move forward until either the courthouse parking lot is built or off-site parking is obtained. Krikorian said the possibility of a parking structure was cost prohibitive.

“I certainly would like to see this built all at once,” Doty said.

One of the concerns voiced by all three commissioners was the fact the land planned for the Phase 2 commercial pads would in the meantime by covered by hydroseed – a slurry of seed and mulch used in some construction areas to cover open land.

“That corner of the lot would be hydroseeded and it could stay that way for 10 years. Who knows?” Doty said.

Ultimately, however, the project was approved, giving the developer the go-ahead to seek contractors and apply for building permits in the near future.

Krikorian told commissioners that the theater areas would include reclining seats and the ability for guests to order “in-seat dining” of freshly prepared meals. A ticketing system will allow guests to select a seat choice when purchasing tickets, which can be done at the ticket window or in advance by phone or online.

“It will be an incredible experience,” he said.

Officials hope to see the theater complex open by next summer.