Residents, Miller reps discuss Cinedome property's future

RIVERDALE -- Representatives from the Larry H. Miller Group met with concerned residents to explain just how the plan to replace the Cinedome with an auto dealership will affect the area.

"We intend to do everything we can to be good neighbors," said Brent Bigelow, general manager of Miller Family Real Estate.

Dan Brainey, a resident of the area, was not convinced. He said the group's proposal to vacate 1275 West will take away an important access road for the community, drive more traffic through the neighborhood and inconvenience members of Alpine Community Church at 5050 S. 1275 West.

"When corporate America moves into a community, it should look to accommodate the community, not dominate the community. ... I'm hearing, 'This is what we want. This is what we're going to get because we're too big,' " Brainey said.

Bigelow said there is no option but to close the road, because it would bisect the development and create a safety issue.

He said a traffic study shows minimal impact to the neighborhood during the week and a moderate effect on Sundays, similar to that of neighborhoods with a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel. He said the Miller group will work with the church and city to mitigate those impacts.

Most of the crowd of about 20 at Tuesday night's meeting indicated they were there to discuss the impact on the neighborhood, while three or four said they were there because of concern about the fate of the Cinedome, 1481 W. Riverdale Road.

Several residents of the area said they are OK with extra traffic in the neighborhood and support closing 1275 West because it is unsafe.

Resident Ron Poleson said he also supports big business in the city.

"Corporate America in Riverdale has kept your taxes really low. I'd like to see Larry Miller come in and clean up the Cinedome. It's nothing but raccoons and garbage. It's a nightmare," he said.

Others asked Bigelow if the Miller Group has considered keeping the theater and using it as an IMAX or other entertainment venue.

"The honest answer is no," Bigelow responded.

"The site is not conducive whatsoever to a modern theater that makes a profit. A theater would have a heck of a lot more impact on the neighborhood than a car dealership."

Supporters of the Cinedome asked if they would be allowed to go through the building once more or if there could be a remembrance plaque in the new building.

"Humans have been living in there. Pigeons lived there. There is 10 years' worth of vandalism. I don't want to give anyone the idea it's a good place to take your family. I vote keep it shut and stay out," said Troy Bullard, general manager of Miller's Chrysler Jeep Dodge dealership, currently in the former Saturn of Riverdale building on Freeway Park Drive.

Bigelow said there is a possibility of allowing the public into the building if it is deemed safe and an even better possibility of a "remembrance aspect" inside the dealership lounge. He said the 45,000-square-foot dealership building will sit approximately where the Cinedome is now and will include the property Roberts Photography now occupies.

The dealership will include 27 service bays and a carwash. There will be no external paging.

The city council will consider the group's request to vacate 1275 West at its meeting Tuesday night.

Bigelow said the Cinedome and Roberts Photography properties are under contract and the group plans to begin construction in October.

He expects the development to generate $200,000 annually in tax revenue for the city.