During the run up to last April’s referendum, I talked to many people who were going to vote in favor of the museum tax. One of the big selling features for many of them was the proposed IMAX theater that would be included as part of the package. The museum group wasn’t shy about touting the IMAX. They included it by name on their marketing materials. When Citizens for Responsible Spending pointed out that the museum group had no contract with IMAX, museum officials defended their use of the IMAX brand name and explained that they couldn’t sign a contract until the referendum passed, but that they had a contract sitting on their desks ready to sign.
It’s now been ten months, and there is still no signed contract with IMAX. More tellingly, museum officials have stopped using the IMAX brand name. In their presentation to the Peoria County Board last Thursday, it was consistently referred to as a “large screen theater” or a “giant screen theater.” When board member Brad Harding asked if it was an IMAX or a large screen theater, Lakeview’s chairman of the board stated that they can’t use the IMAX brand name because they don’t have a contract signed with IMAX yet. He did say they were still negotiating with IMAX, however.
I sincerely hope that the IMAX negotiations are successful. Because if there is no IMAX, it will be one of the biggest bait-and-switch swindles ever propagated on Peoria taxpayers.
When the museum proponents came to the West Peoria Residents’ Association meeting, I asked the question about IMAX and received the same answer about the contract sitting on their desks ready to be signed.
The impression I got looking the IMAX annual reports back then, was that IMAX was moving away from the singular movie theatre venues. Their principle growth has been in partnering with large theatre chains to sell their IMAX brand, equipment, and format. It might be more likely at this point that one of the area multiplexes would adopt the IMAX format before the museum would.
I should add, no other large format theatre company is thriving, except IMAX. IMAXs current success lies solely with their partnerships with multi-plex theatre chains, not museums. These small companies are going to emulate their larger competitor .
I am sure that “negotiations” will continue until all of the dollars for the project are secured. Then “negotiations” will cease because the sides were unable to reach an “agreement”.
Yea, anp, except this dodo is never going to secure all the needed funding. The deficits it will run will be astronomical.
I don’t know why you guys are worried. According to Peo Proud and Peoria Committeeman, the YES vote for the new tax was all PRM/CAT needed to get this thing off the ground. Working out an agreement acceptable to all sides [funding, who will be on the museum board, yes or no IMAX, final building specs, exhibit content, etc…] are all merely……details. I am thinking they all know how deep the proposed underground garage will be! Take heart!!!
My family has enjoyed traveling to outlying cities to enjoy the IMAX experience. If it does not come into fruition on the waterfront- it will surely be a black eye for everyone involved. The museum will not thrive without a 3D IMAX to lure in the locals on a regular basis. Maybe we should “can” the museum idea and just focus on an incredible “state of the art” cinema experience. With all of the film festival attention nationwide, we could create the ultimate facilties to accomodate a “Play in Peoria” stage. Capitalizing on local food-lodging (both sides of the river would surely benefit) and bringing incredible culture to our area. Just a thought. How’bout that river history walk? I dunno.
Not sure about the IMAX negotiations but the get more money from the taxpayer negotiations appear to be going well ….. ah well, what’s another $500,000 here and another $??? there …. just more moeny we don’t have …. just more debt …. all in the name of a legacy project.
Special Peoria County Finance and Legislative Committee Meeting – 16 Feb 2010 – 4 pm
http://www.peoriacounty.org/countyBoard/files/get/Committee_Agenda_and_Minutes%2F2010%2FFebruary%2F16-Finance-Legislative%2FFinance+-+Legislative+Committee+Agenda+Packet+2010-02-16+16-00.pdf
3. Peoria Riverfront Museum (Green Building) ? $500,000 – Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (Energy & Water)
The Peoria Riverfront Museum (PRM) is a public?private collaboration that in concert with Caterpillar Tractor Company’s Caterpillar Experience will cause to see a $136 million investment in Peoria’s riverfront. The PRM is to be constructed to a LEED Silver standard. This request in cooperation with Lakeview Museum goes towards the
installation of photovoltaic panels to cover 7.5% of the building’s energy and other improvements contributing towards LEED certification.
NV — you going?
Wesmess… your idea will go nowhere… forget it. It makes sense.