City denies rumor that Krikorian pulled out of theater project
Stacks of foam construction blocks sit beside the unfinished Krikorian theater walls in Menifee Town Center. (Menifee 24/7 photo) A City of ...
Stacks of foam construction blocks sit beside the unfinished Krikorian theater walls in Menifee Town Center. (Menifee 24/7 photo)
A City of Menifee staff member has denied a rumor circulating on social media that Krikorian has pulled out of the theater project that has sat abandoned in Menifee Town Center for well over a year.
Gina Gonzalez, economic development director for the City, issued this statement to Menifee 24/7:
"The Krikorian Entertainment Theater Project -- while it is a private and not city project -- is a high profile project with a great deal of interest from our community. While the city likes to refrain from speaking for project owners, and projects not its own, it is also important for Menifee to know that Mr Krikorian has not abandoned the project, contrary to rumors.
"Mr Krikorian’s project was hit hard by the pandemic while he was going full steam and he had funding paused due to COVID, like many nationwide entertainment and hospitality projects. He has been working with the banks to get back up and running and hopes to have some good news to share very, very soon.
"Mr. Krikorian has also conveyed to city staff that he and his staff have been working during COVID on his phase 2 portion of the theater project. He has also shared that the green light from the banks to move forward will be based on the continued improving economy, and the return of movie theater productions."
What a crock. "Green light from banks"? "The return of movie productions"? Give me a break. This city is starving for things to do. We drive 20 miles away to see a movie or to go bowling and play games at a clean facility. I don't think this guy has any plans to open this thing up anymore. He's just stalling.
ReplyDeleteInstead of the City funding a stupid amphitheater they should help building a movie theatre! This would keep local tax money in town. Now we have to go to Temecula and Murrieta and spend our money. Movies are back! Marvel has 3 big movies coming out this year that will not be on streaming! So now we will go to Temecula/ Murrieta and grab dinner or dessert! These idiots who work for the city counsel have to go!
ReplyDeleteKrikorian has a history of starting to build theaters and then abandoning them. Look at Hemet 30 years ago and San Jacinto 40 years ago. Krikorian made a big noise about building, got the cities involved, started the projects, took a very long time and then the theaters opened under other names, Regal and something else. Krikorian doesn't build theaters, they start theater projects and then sit on their hands waiting for a buyer to take it over. Menifee shouldn't have gotten involved with them.
ReplyDeleteMenifee should ask AMC to take it over.
ReplyDeleteKnock down the building and put in high density housing. They have to get new permits if they don't finish in a certain priod.Gina Gonzales has no business speaking for Krikorian.
ReplyDeleteI worked on that project. There's not ev water or sewer installed in the property yet.hes talked about opening up the stores along the frontage street but there's no way for them to have water or sewer or fire protection unless they install it still.
ReplyDelete