May 25, 2012
Nearly a decade after the Esquire Theatre shut down, proponents of MacArthur Boulevard redevelopment say they hope an impending ownership change will revive prospects for the building. AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc. announced this week it is selling its operationsin the United States and Canada to Dalian Wanda Group for $2.6 billion. The private Chinese conglomerate already is among the world’s largest entertainment companies.”It remains a key piece of real estate that is a major aspect of the redevelopment plan for MacArthur Boulevard,” said Micah Bartlett, chairman of the MacArthur Boulevard Action Committee, also known as MacBac. “They had a mixed use of residential and retail in that area (the Esquire),” said Bartlett.‘Some interest’Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin, whose ward includes the Esquire property, said developers recently have shown interest in the theater parking lot. McMenamin also told the MacArthur Boulevard Business Association last month that potential tenants include existing businesses along MacArthur. “There is some interest there,” said McMenamin. As for the building, he said little has changed since AMC bought the property two years ago. AMC spokesman Ryan Noonan said the company has no new information to release about the building or parking lot.
Looking to expand
Luer’s Family Shoes owner Dave Saner said he has been interested in a piece of the theater parking lot for years. “I’ve been trying to buy a little bit of land. I want to expand my building,” he said. “It’s an eyesore, and you get the skateboarders on the parking lot, and the unkempt appearance,”
Bartlett said members of the MacBac committee hope plans by the Hy-Vee Corp. to convert the former Kmart at 2115 S. MacArthur to a supermarket will help draw interest to the old Esquire building. “I think it’s going to help the whole area,” said Bartlett, “simply because a lot businesses obviously want to be where they know there are other destinations that are going to draw shoppers.
Joe McMenamin for Ward 7 