Proposed Regal takeover of closed San Bernardino theater prompts challenge

posted by CSWalczak on January 4, 2011 at 3:40 pm

SAN BERNARDINO, CA — Some controversy has arisen over the proposed agreement by the city council in San Bernardino that would enable Regal to take over the operation of the former CinemaStar Empire 30 that has been closed for quite some time. Eight companies bid on the project and there is some local concern that the Regal bid may not be the best deal.

The letter says the deal would cost taxpayers $12.5 million in subsidies, while the city is snubbing private investors' offer to invest $10 million in the downtown multiplex, which has been closed for two years.

Economic Development Agency chief Emil Marzullo fired back, blasting the letter as inaccurate and saying a major company is better positioned to attract restaurants and shops downtown than a small operator.

The full story is in the Press-Enterprise.

Theaters in this post

• San Bernardino Stadium 14 & RPX