The operator of a planned 16-screen movie theater that was expected to anchor a Northglenn retail and entertainment complex has backed out of the project.
Cinemark USA Inc., which acquired Century Theatres this month, has asked to be released from Century’s ground lease at East 120th Avenue and Grant Street. Steve Zoet, Northglenn’s interim city manager, said the city is reviewing its legal options.
The Century Theatres complex was to be built on city-owned land and serve as a draw for an adjoining development of shops and restaurant space. A ceremonial groundbreaking was held for the theater project last November, but construction never moved forward.
A Cinemark spokesperson did not return calls Thursday.
The theater’s loss marks the second setback for the project. The Northglenn City Council originally had selected Opus Northwest and Goldberg Properties to build the retail center more than a year ago. That deal fell apart because the two sides could not agree on a common vision. The city later brought in Prime West Inc. and Zing Development.
Steve Clark, president and chief executive of Prime West, said his portion of the project will move forward, although some portions of it may be altered.
“We will have to go back to the drawing board, but we have the ability to do more planning now, possibly with more land,” he said. “It depends on what direction the city wants to take with this.”
Century Theatres also is a tenant in the Twenty Ninth Street development in Boulder. Cinemark USA remains committed to that project, according to Twenty Ninth Street marketing manager Patti Hazlett.
Staff writer Kristi Arellano can be reached at 303-820-1902 or karellano@denverpost.com.
