Members of the Ocala City Council debated the future of the Marion Theatre during Tuesday’s meeting.
After finding out that the company that manages theater operations is likely renewing a one-year agreement for the last time, council members discussed the future of theater operations, as well as planned upgrades to the parking lot and sidewalk.
“The original lease was for five years with an option for five more years,” said Growth Management Director Tye Chighizola. Chighizola indicated that the managing company, Delray Square Cinemas, was not agreeable to the five year renewals, instead opting for one year extensions.
“We are finishing up our seventh year, so at the end of November next year would be our eighth year. At this point, this is probably going to be the last extension,” said Chighizola. He stated that although some of the efforts to save the theater by lowering its operating expenses, including waiving fees, have helped, ultimately, the group is still operating at a loss.
After Chighizola recommended putting together a committee to discuss a long term solution for the theater, council members shared their thoughts on the theater and its place relationship with the city.
“I think we really need to start thinking about long term” said Council President Pro-Tem Jay Musleh.
District 5 council member Justin Grabelle agreed.
“We just can’t keep throwing money down this hole,” said Grabelle.
Grabelle suggested the city be open to potentially using the theater for another type of business, indicating that a movie theater was not the best option going forward.
“Obviously it has the historic significance and we want to make sure that everything contributes to what we want to do downtown, but to have this going forward almost like a blank check doesn’t really work for me,” added Grabelle.
Echoing Grabelle’s sentiments, Chighizola reminded council members that in addition to both Cinema 6 and Regal Hollywood, Epic Theatres will join the slate of Ocala cinema options later this fall, further muddying the competitive market.
The upgrades planned for the parking lot and sidewalk were also debated by council members, who suggested that the end user be defined before proceeding with the upgrades.
“Why would we spend the money to change things around without knowing who the end user is going to be,” questioned Grabelle.
Chighizola indicated that the changes would be general in nature, including a change to the pavement, as well as the parking for the building.
Council member Brent Malever, who represents District 1, was supportive of the desire to change the parking lot, suggesting that downtown expansions would benefit from the improvement.
“I’m not worried about offsetting the parking, I’m worried about pouring money into this change,” said Grabelle.
After City Engineer Sean Lanier explained that the upgrades would be included in a discussion during an upcoming workshop, council approved the renewal of the lease for one additional year with Delray Square Cinemas.