May 9, 2008

Don't lose focus over theater dispute

Editorial

Instead of worrying about how much business the Century Park 12 movie complex may be drawing away from downtown, Redwood City officials should focus on making the city's revitalized hub a better experience for visitors.

City officials and business owners are frustrated to see the aging Century Park 12 still in business after the reconstructed downtown debuted in October 2006. The modest old multiplex was expected to wither away with the opening of the 20-screen Century theater in the heart of the new downtown.

Some business owners say city officials promised them the Century Park 12's days were numbered. But the old theater is still open, still plays some big movies its downtown counterpart doesn't and still enjoys a considerable advantage over the larger theater: plenty of free parking.

What's a city to do? First it has to overcome potential visitors' continuing aversion to the new computerized parking meters. The city council took a forward step recently when it shifted the end of the enforcement hours, which run Monday to Saturday, from 8 p.m. to 6 p.m. That should help restaurants. The council also lowered the rate to no more than 50 cents an hour.

City officials also need to work with businesses to do all they can to make the downtown more of a magnet. Potential customers will always be weighing their options. If an aging theater complex can threaten downtown revitalization, maybe the revitalization work is incomplete.

Rather than use the old movie theater as a scapegoat, business operators would do well to adopt the attitude of Tacone Flavor Grill owner Sashi Kumar. Though dismayed to see the old theater still open, she's decided to focus on her own business and develop her customer base. That's a recipe for success.

Focusing on the downtown will give the city a stronger hand when it negotiates with the owners of the Century Park 12 land, who have resisted city pressure to close the old theater. City officials complain the Syufy family is holding out for housing on the site, now zoned for commercial use. A family representative confirmed housing is one use being considered. However the land is sandwiched between two auto dealerships, and city officials want to see sales tax-generating dealerships at the Century Park 12 site as well.

The site is better suited for a commercial use but the city hasn't been able to broker a deal with the family.

Until the impasse is ended, we hope city officials will concentrate on making downtown an even livelier place, the kind of destination that can compete with the Century Park 12.