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Schenectady. Plans are in motion for a 12-screen movie
theatre complex to be located in downtown Schenectady (State
and Clinton Streets). Synthesis, a Schenectady design firm
involved in much of the downtown planning, is designing the
theatre complex to coordinate with the historic character
of the street. It is estimated that the complex will cost
$10 million. The majority of the financing will be done through
private lenders.
Joseph Tesiero and Bruce Wendell, owners of Emerald Cinemas
in Amsterdam, intend to open the independent theatre complex
in Schenectady by November 2004. Tesiero states that he is
confident he will draw 325,000 people annually to the cinema
as there are approximately 60,000 people in the city and the
average person goes to the movies about five times a year.
First-run movies
The theatre complex, which will be called Diamond Cinemas,
will play first-run movies featuring digital sound technology
and sharp resolution. The complex will be open 365 days a
year and will run matinees and night movies. Synthesis, working
closely with Tesiero, designed the theatres in the complex
in a range of sizes, from large-screen cinemas that seat 480
to smaller formats that seat 50 people. Synthesis and Tesiero
planned the complex to have a total of 2,500 seats, which
will be stadium-style so the view is unobstructed, and will
likely be the high-back, reclining-style seats. The plan also
includes a concession stand. "We want people to feel
at home and feel comfortable," Wendell said.
Because the theatre complex is family-owned, Tesiero says
it will be able to offer such unusual accommodations as booster
seats and the opportunity to rent screens for private parties.
The Broadway garage will accommodate parking. He is looking
to sell tickets at an average of $6.50. That figure takes
into account price breaks for senior citizens and children.
"Movies are the cheapest form of entertainment,"
Tesiero said. He is hoping to attract some of the people leaving
Schenectady County to view movies at the Crossgates Mall in
Albany. He isn't concerned about competing with the Loews
in Rotterdam Square mall because it's older and his theatre
complex will offer a more personalized experience, he said.
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