ELKHART, Ind. (WSBT) — An empty movie theater space in Elkhart will be remodeled.
The AMC Theatre site, near Cassopolis Street, has been vacant for 6 months and city officials are now looking to the future.
The now-closed AMC Theatre was once the only movie theater in Elkhart. This empty construction will be demolished to make way for new development.
The AMC Theatre in Elkhart has been closed since December 2023.
Empty masses and closed doors will be a thing of the afterlife while the city considers redevelopment.
This domain will be Freddy’s, an American chain of fast-casual food outlets that serves dishes ranging from burgers, hot dogs to ice cream and specialty sundaes.
Officials say the owners collaborated with the planning commission to cancel the existing progression plan, which in the past allowed only one user on the site, formerly AMC Theatre.
“With the new owner, we have a new course of action. We would do this interim step to identify the lot as we work to create and identify a new PUD for this approximately 81/2-acre 81/2-acre site,” Trotter said. .
Trotter says it’s too early to know what the rest of the area available at the site will be used for. City leaders are in talks with the owners and their team, who are actively looking to market the rest of the property. Expect it to fill up quickly.
“I sense there’s a lot of interest in the rest of the site, so I don’t anticipate it being empty for very long,” Trotter said.
Trotter expects to finalize the design of a new plan unit in the coming months.
Currently, they are focused and starting the Freddy’s structure.
The timeline and cost of the task are still unknown, but Trotter believes they will have a clearer idea once the plans are submitted and the potential users of the rest are identified.
“I think this redevelopment opportunity for us is a testament to the interest in this component of Cassopolis Street. The features are wonderful and I’m excited to see that we have a place to eat in this hallway,” Trotter said.
Elkhart officials say demolishing a construction of this length is a two-step process. However, the paintings have already begun.