City council brings Crestview closer to getting cinema

CRESTVIEW, FL - A unanimous vote by the Crestview City Council Monday evening brought the city a step closer to having a 10-screen cinema.

Local contractor Jack Jernigan, acting as an agent for Keith Park Developers, asked the council to approve out-of-city sewer service for a commercial and residential development off Richburg Lane. Jernigan explained Keith Park Developers has obtained funding for the first phase of the development, which would include the 10-screen, 40,000-sq.ft. cinema as an anchor for a 30,000- sq.ft. shopping center.

The developers requested city sewer services, though the property is located within county land. Because of time constraints and covenants of the loan commitment, they wish to abandon their plans to install a septic system, Jernigan explained.

"The cinema will take a year to be built," Jernigan said, with a targeted opening set for April 1, 2010. The project has been in the works for five years, he said.

The first phase of the project would include the cinema and retail shops on either side of it.

A second phase, east of the cinema and shopping center, would feature a 92-unit complex of "very, very nice" apartments. The third phase, located south of the cinema, would be a proposed 170,000-sq. ft. business park with office and warehouse space, and a farmers' market.

"We will get the cinema done," Jernigan assured. "The cinema will come in."

Councilman Chip Wells moved to approve Keith Park Developers' request, seconded by Councilman Bob Allen.

"We've been waiting for something like this for a long time," Wells said.