REOPENING the controversial Imax cinema was one of the options considered – and dismissed – by councillors as they pondered the building’s future.
A council report reveals that a special Imax panel, whose meetings were not held in public, considered seven options for the future of the prime seafront site before eventually deciding to demolish the Waterfront building and create a new public events space in its place.
The option to re-brand and reopen the existing building as an Imax cinema and let the remaining units to restaurant chains was considered because of a growth in the popularity of 3D films.
The report states: “This was rejected as the existing building would remain in situ unchanged it would not address the bulk and height issues with the building or improve the views from Bath Road.”
The other options considered and rejected were to proceed with an interim scheme or reduce the height to create a single storey building, both of which would be too expensive and produce too low a return.
The idea of demolishing the building and leaving it as a development site was deemed unacceptable because of its prime seafront location.
Doing nothing would leave the building susceptible to vandalism and would incur extra maintenance and security costs and a comprehensive development of the site was ruled out because of the poor economic conditions.
Cabinet members will next Wednesday be asked to approve plans to spend £2million demolishing the building and replacing it with a new events and art space.
Once the economy picks up, the site plus the adjoining Bath Road South car park will be considered for a “comprehensive redevelopment.”
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