Railyard Movie Theater Still on Paper

Cinema fans who are awaiting the beginning of construction on a new theater in the Santa Fe Railyard will have to wait a little while longer.

Violet Crown Cinema aimed to break ground late last year on the city land, but now it's looking more like the project will kick off late this month at the earliest.

The theater would be similar to the Violet Crown already operating in Austin, says owner Bill Banowsky, including that the venture already has a license to sell beer and wine. It will feature 11 stadium-style auditoriums with about 800 total seats.

Design/build contractors are in the process of finalizing details, he tells SFR, noting "our goal is to start construction at the best time."

Another Railyard entertainment project seems less uncertain.

Ringside Bowling Lounge, adjacent to the theater on the top floor of the Market Station building, is getting close to a grand opening, says project partner Allen Branch.

The bowling alleys, restaurant, gaming space and bar is nearly complete inside, but state officials haven't yet granted an occupancy permit due to questions about access during theater construction and other issues.

Richard Czoski, director of the Santa Fe Railyard Community Corp., says the nonprofit that manages the city property is counting on new businesses there to draw crowds.

"We are hoping all this activity will bring more activity," he says.
(Julie Ann Grimm)

Santa Fe Reporter