click to enlarge Another Harkins Theater is closing in the Valley. This time it’s Harkins Theaters North Valley 16, at 3420 East Bell Road. A spokesman for Harkins Theaters confirmed the news in a July 19 email to the Phoenix New Times. “Due to the age of the theater, a substantial reinvestment would have been necessary to make the theater fit for the future, which was not feasible,” said the spokesman. A proposed developer, The Wolff Company, is in the early stages of applying for a reallocation permit for the property to build a residential complex of 278 multi-family units. She is represented by the law firm Withey Morris, which on June 25 issued a letter of proposed zoning changes to property owners and neighborhood leaders. This letter was not related to Harkins Theaters, and the law firm has not yet sent a statement to the New Times. But the City of Phoenix has confirmed that the rezoning application has been made. City officials are currently reviewing the application, which means they have not yet decided whether to recommend the change that would be needed to build a housing estate on this property. “There will be ample opportunity for public participation,” says David Simmons, a city village planner. “The website will be posted with signs showing all upcoming hearing dates as they become available,” he wrote in an email to the New Times on July 16. “Public participation,” he wrote, “is a critical part of the claims process.” Harkins’ spokesman said North Valley 16 will “stay open until an official closing date is set closer towards the end of the year,” hinting that a new theater in the area may be on the way. “As we close this chapter, stay tuned for exciting information about our future plans for a new state-of-the-art theater nearby.”
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