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Emagine Theatres Proposing a 12-Screen Complex in St. Clair Shores
Mayor Kip Walby confirms Monday that Emagine Theatres is proposing a 12-screen theater complex on the southeast corner of 12 Mile and Little Mack.
A semi-occupied strip mall currently stands in the proposed location of the theater.
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Mayor Kip Walby confirmed Monday that Emagine Theatre is looking to build its first movie theater in Macomb County in St. Clair Shores.
The 12-screen complex, which would be the first Emagine Theatre in Macomb County, is being proposed for the southeast corner of 12 Mile and Little Mack.
"It is one of the more exciting developments we have had here in a decade," said Walby, of the "top-of-the-line" theater. "We are moving St. Clair Shores forward."
City officials have been working with developers and land owners to bring Emagine to the city. The current proposal is for a 2,300 seat facility, and developers are considering obtaining a liquor license.
Emagine Entertainment intially had proposed a proposal for a 35,000 square-foot building that would house an eight screen movie theater in the Village shopping district.
But Paul A. Glantz, founder and chairman of Emagine Entertainment, Inc., told Patch previously that his company was looking for a "footprint with more parking to really be able to operate a viable theater in the marketplace."
The proposed development is scheduled to go before the planning commission June 12 to rezone the property, which includes a partially-occupied strip mall and vacant land, from office to general business use for the theater.
The confirmation that Emagine is the planning to come to St. Clair Shores is the latest development to either be proposed, or constructed, in recent weeks including the opening of an Auto Zone, Buffalo Wild Wings and Wally's Frozen Custard.
"I think that our residents should be proud that in these tough times we have business such as Emagine, Buffalo Wild Wings coming and wanting to invest," said City Manager Ben Hughes, who added that careful attention will be paid to existing residents near the devleopement. "They beleive in the vision we have here. They believe in the quality of life here."
A. Gerbino
7:16 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
What a mistake. That's what I want in my neighborhood. Gangs of teens hanging out with no supervision. Bad idea!
bill miller
8:40 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Get over it. It's a great idea. The city has WAY too many VACANT lots growing nothing but weeds. I live right in the neighborhood too. How soon can you tear down that UGLY eyesore of a so called strip mall that houses only a cheap dollar store and vacant buildings? LONG overdue.
Jennifer Lannoo
8:44 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
13 and Little Mack where the kmart was would be a better spot
JA Osborn
7:09 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
I think it's great that they are looking in SCS. Agree 13 / L Mack area is more suited for the traffic.
Joanne Kubiak
8:55 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Agree with you, Jennifer. Wonder why they aren't looking there...
Leslie Curtis
9:13 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Great idea that Grosse Pointe missed out on. St Clair Shores and Macomb County understands that they have to change a little in order to stay a viable community. something ALL the shore line communities need to seriously consider. There is no such thing as "old money" anymore to endow and support these small municipalities. In order to stay relevant and flourish change will be required BY ALL including life long residents who are insistent on keeping the communities boring and old. In case you haven't notice many young residents leave these area's and even the state because of old, boring, outdated traditions and lifestyles that are held onto by so many,as well as the lack of opportunity. The additions of these ventures will help bring a much needed boost in revenue to the local economy. The additional revenue would also help pay for a greater public safety presence to keep the area safe and fun.
Chad Bateman
10:02 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Couldn't agree more Leslie. I was born and raised in GP, moved back home for a few years after college, and once I saved enough money to buy my own place I quickly moved away. It is quite sad that I am by far not the only one who has done this. From my graduating high school class I would say about 90% of us have moved far away from GP and we all have the same reason: "there is nothing to do in GP."
Kara Bakowski
12:53 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
I really wish that GP had been able to take this opportunity, but I can understand why the plug was pulled. As the article mentioned...parking. Even with the parking garage and some of the larger lots in the village, there's no way an 8-screen theater would be able to accomodate parking for midnight premieres (or even major releases) without hurting the businesses in the area. People start lining up for those hours ahead of time, and other businesses would find their parking space taken up, potentially preventing actual customers from shopping.
While I wish we had a movie theater here, I'm perfectly okay with having an Emagine so close by. Still better than having to go to Partridge Creek to avoid Star Gratiot!
Leslie Curtis
1:12 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
@Ann I can see parking being a major issue in GP and also still wish it could have been located in the GP area however I'm satisfied that one will be located just down the road its just that all the revenue from our cities will go to Macomb county and St. Clair Shores because I'm sure mostly everyone in the area will utilize the venue.
mike cook
9:20 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
with buffalo wild wings supposedly coming to the shores, what smaller restraunt will close now?
mike cook
9:22 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
everytime something big comes in, someone little goes out of business
Don Holman
10:46 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Great Idea to have the theater in SCS. Just keep it out of Grosse Pointe. I want to stay
old and boring and let you deal with the young and exciting. We need another Bank in GP!
rebecca brown
11:34 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
This is wonderful that an investor is looking at the Shores! I would love the location to be at the Shores Theater location or anywhere else in the Shores! There are so many vacanct buildings that need to be filled! Let's get them filled! Also, I would not shed a tear if that ugly strip mall was leveled. Also, the Emagine Theaters that I have been to are beautiful buildings that are well maintained and destinations. We need more destinations in the Shores!
Joe B
12:38 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
not a good idea. movie theatres such as beacon East and Eastland Theatre had to close because of crime and violance
Ner
8:49 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
I know how you feel Joe....ever since that Titanic sank, I won't go on a boat!
Leslie Curtis
1:06 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
So out of all the.successful Emagine theaters in areas around metro Detroit crime will migrate only to the one in Saint Clair Shores? Are you that shallow...really!
paul
12:43 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
Not shallow,just realistic.Watch and see.Even the beautiful Palladium in Birmingham has fallen victim to bad kids with bad attitudes and zero manners.
Todd
10:16 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
If we want the corner of 12mile and little Mack to look like the WallMart on 12 mile then we should welcome this theater to Saint Clair Shores. Does everyone forget about the big pond that we live near. We have more to offer than bringing a teenage hangout to our small town feel community. My vote is not to bring this theater to our town. I love the small town feel of our community.
Chad Bateman
10:40 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
What is everybody's obsession with Lake St. Clair? Yes, it is a lovely lake and I enjoy taking my boat out whenever I can. However, the boating season is at most 4 months long in this state. This theater would be a great addition to this community and would be great to go to on a freezing night in January.
Todd
10:07 pm on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
The water is why Saint Clair Shores is what it is, a water front community. I would like to see something more on the Nautical Mile. Lets turn this community into the next Royal Oak and make people want to live here. At the same time increase our property values. The Nautical Mile could be really cool.
Vita
10:32 am on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
It seems as thought many are forgetting that we once had a very cool theatre on the corner of Greater Mack and 9 Mile. It was small but comfortable and convenient. I agree that some of us would like to avoid Star Gratiot. I'd rather go to Marketplace on 15 and Van Dyke! Also, GP had the "Punch", which is long gone and the "Woods" theatre by Mack and 7 Mile, where I grew up. That was a good one and as a kid went whenever my parents let me (2-3 times a week) Of course it didn't cost a fortune like it does now! I would sure rather see a theatre than more medical facilities at 12 and Little Mack.
JA Osborn
7:11 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
Yes, that was a real treasure in our back yard. Hopefully some of these comments are relayed to City Council.
Cnote
1:58 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
I recall an issue in a metro Detroit neighborhood where everyone thought a streetlight would be a good idea for their block. However, when it came time to decide where it would go, everyone balked because no one wanted it in front of their house. They claimed the light would be too intrusive. It ended up NOT going in. This theater is progress. With the police presence being what it is in St Clair Shores already does anyone really think they, or the city, will put up with any nonsense from groups of teenagers or allow this area to be a haven for crime? Hah!
JA Osborn
7:12 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
You got it. SCS Police are on top of things here. We are very fortunate to have that. A little more tax revenue may allow the City to fill some vacant police & fire positions.