The Journal Star is reporting that museum officials are trying to get an honest-to-goodness IMAX theater to come to town, instead of an “IMAX-like” theater. A real IMAX would be a big draw for locals and tourists alike, especially in the evenings after the museum closes, so I see this as a step in the right direction.
If they could score a 3D IMAX, it would be especially sweet. Just think of how many people would show up for “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” in 3D!
We think alike, my first thought was also, Harry Potter on IMAX, so cool.
Can you imagine the line for opening night?
Hmm . . . my first thought was, didn’t they try to convince us about a year ago how IMAX was overrated and we could get the same educational and entertainment value from an IMAX-like system? And nobody really bought that line of BS except for those on the museum planning committee?
I guess the committee didn’t really buy it either.
Ah crud, CJ, you beat my (brief) post by 10 minutes!
Definitely a step in the right direction; one of the first I can recall in quite some time. The really-big-sort-of-like-an-IMAX-but-not-quite movie screen was never going to fly. I wonder if they were taking heat from donors who weren’t thrilled with a second rate theatre inside of a shrinking museum.
Ms. PH – The members of the Museum Collaboration Group have been reluctant to use and focus on the “IMAX” name as they have not been certain that they could actually get a signed contract with the “IMAX” Corporation to cover an installation of their system and technology at the Museum. I don’t think you can blame them for being very careful on this issue, as much as some folks look for any little detail regarding this project in which they can heap criticism at any opportunity. So my interpretation was that until they were pretty darn certain that they had a pretty good chance of getting a contract with IMAX, they were careful not to overcommitt in their public statements. I’m just hopeful they’ll consider my suggestion of holding a “The DUKE” Week at the IMAX” with a full week of John Wayne movies on the big screen. I’m certain alot of other folks would have suggestions for them for similiar special showings.
Katmandu – I agree with you to a certain extent. If they were still in the process of securing the IMAX, they should not have made any firm commitments that they were getting an IMAX. However, they also should not have been going public in support of the non-IMAX and blasting IMAX as “overrated and too pricey.” That is what makes me think they only caved to the IMAX when the public made it clear they were not happy about the generic version.
In Kat’s defense, his take on the IMAX thing is consistent with Kathleen Woith’s answer to the IMAX question on my blog back in September 2006:
It appears they never ruled out an IMAX.
Kat — Here I was saying nice things about this development and you say, “some folks look for any little detail regarding this project in which they can heap criticism at any opportunity.” Are you trying to pick a fight? 😉
Thank you for comments in favor of IMAX. I thought I would clear up some misconceptions.
We have referred to the theater at the new museum as a “giant-screen theater” because we had not signed with IMAX or anyone else. Occasionally we referred to an “IMAX-like” theater so people would understand that this theater is more than the big screen at the multi-plex.
Technological advancements are happening rapidly, and the theater world is no different. We are ensuring that we have the very best technology in Peoria when the museum opens.
No one here has referred to IMAX, or any other theater technology, as “pricey and over-rated.” We have been firmly committed to delivering 21st century technology to the theater, and were waiting for digital technology to develop to the point that it would offer the quality experience visitors expect in a giant-screen format.
Four years ago, we did a theater study that said Peoria would be able to support an IMAX. We have had IMAX in mind from the beginning, but were waiting to see what technology would develop in the time before the museum opens.
We knew that emerging digital technology would be changing the face of theaters. IMAX is film-based, but they are now working to develop digital projection systems for museum theaters. We continue to stay in close conversation with IMAX as their technology moves forward. Stay tuned!
This IMAX thing is very cute. What about the museum? I would love to see the Museum Partnership actually develop a MUSEUM. IMAX is novel, but like I have said….why is the Museum Partnership developing this and not the city or a private developer [or both]?
Most everyone, including C.J. advocated retail/economic growth downtown. They all agreed that a great-big museum/CAT center taking up the entire Sears block was not going to get the job done. Everyone, including C.J. had been put off [again and again] by the fact that Mus Part/CAT have consistently changed ‘the program.’ They are bound and determined to keep control of WHO develops the Sears block, and to what end. Now you are all on the IMAX band wagon?
Ahhh, but the key is being open later than 5 p.m., and until that is made part of their plan, an IMAX is only another bonus for the field-trip-taking demographic.
Lakeview also seems to be spreading their focus into more of a fan shape. The “museum” will not be much of a draw if it showcases a lot of things partially or poorly. Peoria really doesn’t need another monument to mediocrity.
Now if they could put a Whole Foods down there with an IMAX…..
Odd, I sat in on a group (over a year ago) at the Scotti Bureau and was told by the person running the group that IMAX was not coming to Peoria and that IMAX turned down the location because of the size of the theater and Peoria’s population size. IMAX was simply out although the planners wanted one. Are they not up there begging IMAX for a re-consideration?????
Nice suggestion Chef. I know we’d drive down to shop.
Put a Whole Foods in Campus Town !!!
What the hell is a “Whole Foods”? Some “think-green” depository for natural foods?
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/
Heck, I’d be happy with a World Market (http://www.worldmarket.com/home.jsp) …they have on in Bloomington, Springfield and Champaign. But $10 says if they built one, it would go out by Grand Prairie.
Can the Whole Foods/World Market be combined with an IMAX?
No, the question is, would Lakeview officials approve of a whole foods market as an acceptable tenant next to their “$125 million” museum?
AntiPundit- that’s odd because I was told the exact opposite to my face about two years ago that they couldn’t afford an Imax. It seems in the early stages maybe everyone involved wasn’t quite on the same page.
Be that as it may, I’m still glad to see the Imax come to town, as I think it will draw some out-of-towners and give them a reason to visit more than just once.
Whole Foods? Not happening. At least not downtown.
Chef,
there are plenty of big box stores empty and available to take a whole foods grocery store. Send the idea to a councilman to pitch to the Economic Development Office. Surprisingly this works. It’s not important if if it goes downtown or not, but understand the rationale and if we want downtown living they gotta eat.
My favorite store is Caputos in Chicago. I think there are three of them now up there. Family owned Italian grocery store (also has hispanic items) great produce selection..no shitty California tomatos there. Vegetables and fruits you never see down here. they make their own cheeses, the deli is 10 rows thick of patrons, the seafood selection is better than anything we have down here. Even Dixons is a far cry from this store. It’s not a large store, about like the old IGA’s were, but is packed because of the quality.
We won’t get a Whole Foods if the affluent hippies and hipsters in Champaign Urbana can’t get one. I don’t think one would do that well here. Trader Joes would be a better fit. Different things than we currently have access too, but not at the super high price points, not so married to organic. But I don’t see that happening either.
BeanCounter: Trader Joe’s is a great suggestion!
My understanding is that Trader Joe’s will probably not come here because they require a lot larger metropolitan area than Peoria.
Trader Joe’s is just an upscale Aldi. The business model for the two is very very similar. I really doubt it has a huge metropolitan requirement. It does however target second rate locations. Read:
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_17/b3880016.htm
What is it about the farkin filter that munches posts with links… very annoying.
http://www.traderjoes.com/contact_us.html
Trader Joes is great – great products, prices, service, atmosphere. They have 15 stores in Illinois, but all are in the Chicago area. Here’s a link to their web site “contact us” page. I emailed them asking that they consider opening a store in Peoria, suggesting the downtown riverfront as one spot to check out. Maybe if enough of us contact them about Peoria, who knows?
No more chains, I am truly sick of defining peoria by how many Chicago suburban chain stores we can convince to open here. The yuppie scum wanted a Starbucks and they got one and two and three and soon fifty all three blocks apart sucking the originality and life out of each one of their wal-mart loyal customer base. Now its all about “organic” feel good national grocery chains, c’mon enough already.
If you wanted to open a GREAT mom and pop natural food grocery in Peoria you would get zero help from city hall. If some Chicago burg chain wants to come city hall would bend over backwords with whatever it took to get the chain. Thats the way Peoria works. I still remember a comment from Barb V.A. about how we really needed a Starbucks in the old furniture store on Sheridan. Why not get One World or some other local coffee shop to open there? Answer, the powers that be are all goo goo eyed over the chains. Look to campus town or midtown plaza for all the proof you need.
You would get even less help from the average Peoria consumer.
SA: Having worked at Trader Joe’s / Pronto Markets as a high school/college student, while Joe Coulombe was still at the helm in the late 70’s and now that TJ’s is owned by the family trust established by Theo Albrecht (Aldi’s) — it is a strict business venture geared toward success, the same scenario as was under Joe Coulombe.
A Whole Foods store would not work downtown. It needs to be located closer to affluent customers who are willing to pay extra for high quality foods that are not currently available in this area. It could work on far north Knoxville or Allen Road.