Campbell 16 Cine to add seating

by Ann Bucy

SBJ Contributing Writer

The Campbell 16 Cine, 4005 South Avenue, has announced it will add stadium seating to 10 of its movie houses.

Five of the theaters in the 16-theater complex already have stadium seating and one theater will not be altered because of its structural design.

"If it was changed, then it would not be in compliance with the (Americans with) Disabilities Act," said Denny Goins, the theater's manager. "But this theater will remain in operation, showing 'played out' movies: the ones that have been here longer than a month or the ones having limited showings."

Goins said stadium seating is so popular that some moviegoers may pass on a film that isn't in stadium seating and will go see something else that is.

"I think they like the fact that there are no visual obstructions with this kind of seating," he said. "You're being lifted up a foot or more over the chairs in front of you. You're also getting more leg room, and the speakers are playing right at you because you're higher in elevation, which is where the screens are located."

Goins said the building has two different wings, and that is how the work is being divided. "We're hoping for the completion of phase I, or wing I, to be done by the middle of May. The second phase, or wing II, to be completed by the middle of June."

"All of the theaters but one (whichever one contractors are currently working on) will stay open during the duration of the construction" he said. "We're trying to get the noisy work (the demolition of the concrete) done by noon every day so it won't distract the people coming in. We'll just block off what we're doing and continue on."

HBD Contracting, based in St. Louis, is the contractor for the project. It is the same company that originally built the theater complex.

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