In the letter, which was posted Saturday on social media, Aron said the 15-screen theater’s landlord had terminated its lease in anticipation of NYU Langone Health’s purchase of the building, located at 570 2nd Ave.
“AMC Theatres does not want to go. Not one little bit,” Aron penned. “AMC Theatres wants to stay in Kips Bay.”
The popularity of movie theaters has declined nationwide, and Aron added that, at one point, the Kips Bay theater struggled to afford its rent.
“But we were fortunate to have been successful in addressing those concerns in recent years,” Aron explained. “Today this theater — one which has been in continuous operation for more than 25 years — has a bright future, if we would be allowed to keep it.”
Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal said he asked Aron to weigh in on the controversial neighborhood issue.
“At my urging, AMC’s CEO has weighed in to make clear: they want to continue operating a movie theater in Kips Bay,” the beep said. “Any proposed rezoning must deliver what this neighborhood needs: a movie theater, a supermarket, and housing. Kips Bay deserves all three, and I’ll fight to make it happen.”
Kips Bay residents and elected officials rallied on Sept. 20 in support of saving the theater and the nearby Fairway supermarket, with many New Yorkers calling the site not just a movie theater, but a place for the community to gather.
NYU has had a major medical campus in the Kips Bay neighborhood for many years, with its main hospital opening in 1948. The hospital provides an array of vital medical services ranging from emergency care and routine treatment to complex surgeries, cancer care, and organ transplants.
Is there room for the theater and healthcare?
The hospital system plans to use the real estate to expand its services in the neighborhood. It also said that since last year’s closure of Beth Israel Hospital in Lower Manhattan, demand for services at NYU Langone has increased, with average daily visits to its ER up 11%.
“Improving access to care nearby will allow more flexibility to many patients currently seeking care in our ED for issues that can also be addressed in an outpatient setting,” the hospital said through a statement at a recent Manhattan Community Board 6 meeting.
The hospital also explained that the building owner originally approached NYU Langone reps about the potential sale.
“As we have said, the owner of the Second Avenue property originally approached us regarding a potential sale, and we recognized that the site’s proximity to our hospital could help support these long-term community health care needs,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, Aron suggested in his letter several alternatives to NYU Langone Health that would allow the hospital to expand while keeping the theater open. Those included expanding the existing low-rise building to accommodate the hospital’s needs or reducing the theater’s size to preserve at least part of the venue.
“We call on NYU Langone Health to open their minds, to think creatively, and come up with a solution that will give the Kips Bay community both of the two things that is wanted most of all: expanded facilities offering the world-class medical care that is the hallmark of NYU Langone Health and a fully functional AMC Theater on Second Avenue,” Aron wrote.
amNewYork contacted NYU Langone Health to ask about Aron’s proposals, but is awaiting a response.
