The Cupertino Courier
News
Movies set to show at new AMC cineplex in Cupertino
By Cody Kraatz
The grand opening lineup for the AMC Cupertino Square 16 theaters--scheduled to start April 27--includes The Invisible, Next and The Condemned.
Spiderman 3 debuts on May 3, and the management expects AMC to be in full swing by then.
"There are a lot of moving parts right now. There are a couple of other hurdles we need to get through," said Cupertino Square spokesman Mike Rohde at an April 17 city council meeting.
Mall management and contractors have spent a lot of time with the city's planning, building and public works officials to get the necessary permits in time for the theaters to open.
"We're doing everything we conveniently can to make sure all the appropriate permits and approvals that they need are ready when they need to be ready for the theaters to open on time," said Rick Kitson, the city's spokesman. City staff is making itself as available as possible, he said.
During the opening week, fundraisers, a Bollywood film screening and a promotion for Google employees are scheduled pending approvals for the theaters to open from the Santa Clara County Fire Department, Cupertino Sanitary District, elevator inspectors and city officials.
For the opening week, AMC gave the Cupertino Educational Endowment Fund and the Fremont Union High Schools Foundation 3,000 tickets to sell for an April 23 event.
The groups raised at least $20,000 for things such as playground equipment, library books and technology upgrades, said Eleanor Watanabe, director of CEEF. The theaters have a seating capacity of 3,500, and organizers expect them to be nearly full.
"We had schools that, because of the limited number of tickets, they reported they sold out in about 30 minutes, just in an instant," said Watanabe.
The Cupertino Chamber of Commerce, which AMC has joined, has planned a ribbon-cutting ceremony for noon on April 27, a traditional practice. It also scheduled an April 25 preview and networking mixer that is open to the public for a $5 cover charge.
"It's obviously a natural fit for us as a Chamber of Commerce to make sure local economy remains as strong and vibrant as possible," said Christine Giusiana, CEO of the Chamber. Cupertino Square's success means more sales tax revenue for city services, she added.
The back burner
On the broader mall renovations, Rohde said the new flooring is in and sewer work on Wolfe Road, required to support increased mall attendance, was completed April 16.
Numerous contractors are working to paint, tile and improve the appearance of the façade on Wolfe Road opposite Vallco Parkway. The contractor who was working on the food court was diverted to that site.
Rohde said he expects to see some possible designs soon for a planned 69-foot sign with a large screen along Interstate 280.
"That is not on the front burner at this point," he said, adding that the mall has a couple of possibilities it needs to discuss with the planning department.
He could not announce anything on the tenant front, but Rohde said talks are under way and tenant feedback has been positive. The Strike bowling alley construction is ahead of schedule now, and due to be complete by mid-July, he said.
More AMC information is available at www.amctheatres.com/theatres/domestic/cupertino.
