KIPS BAY, Manhattan (WABC) — Many are not ready for the credits to roll and are determined to save a movie theater they consider an anchor in their neighborhood.
AMC Kips Bay 15 is where Elsie and Edee come every Friday and Saturday.
“It’s the only escape from all the madness that’s going on in the world,” said Elsie Otero.
One reason they are not ready for the credits to roll.
“We love having world class healthcare in the neighborhood but there are millions of square feet of NYU medical offices that we as a community don’t use,” said Jessica Lavoie.
NYU Langone, which is looking to expand and purchase the building, also includes a bank and a grocery store, a rough timeline, it tells Eyewitness News early next year.
Kips Bay 15 has been on 1st Avenue just south of 33rd Street since 1999. AMC took over in 2006.
Many here say they have a lot of questions, with NYU providing few details.
“All we are having to say and what we must say is that we will be demanding transparency moving forward,” said Sen. Kristen Gonzalez.
In a statement, it says in part “Years before NYU Langone was approached about the property, AMC and the landlord entered into a lease granting either party a right to terminate at any time.”
“AMC Wants to stay and I’m not going to speak to a covid era lease when everybody was staying in and nobody was going to the movie theater,” said Assemblyman Keith Powers.
NYU says it will provide updates on its plans once the deal is finalized. As for a compromise, says fewer movie screens alongside medical offices — critics say absolutely not.
“We still need an affordable grocery store, we still need entertainment in the neighborhood, I think that’s what most people are upset about,” Lavoie added.
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