Indian Hills Cinerama
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This article first appeared in |
| Text and pictures by Matt Lutthans Cinerama Society of Seattle | Issue 65 - July 2001 |
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Here's an Aug. 2000 update on what is going on with the Indian Hills Cinerama in Omaha, for those of you who are interested. I'll start from the very beginning; some of you may wish to scan past the introductory stuff. |
Further in 70mm reading: |
Indian Hills Down
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In a press conference on Wednesday, June 20, 2001, officials of the Nebraska Methodist Health System, the new owner of the Omaha Indian Hills Cinerama
Theater, announced their plans to demolish the Theater, as soon as possible. In a further insult to the theater, the press conference was conducted in front of the Indian Hills and announced the theater would be replaced by a parking lot. The Indian Hills is one of the only three Cinerama theatres that, up to now, have survived (Seattle, Hollywood Dome, and the Indian Hills). Although well informed by private individuals, and by a series of articles in the Omaha World Herald, on the historical significance of both the building and Cinerama, NMHS felt the site would be immediately better used as a parking lot. Pleas from myself in direct meetings with NMHS to at least save and use the central Cinerama theater for their own auditorium were ignored (I also proposed for NMHS to remove two side buildings with their three smaller screens - freeing up more parking space). Incredibly, Larry Karstens and Matt Lutthans, who that same day had expected to negotiate a lease from Methodist to resume film exhibition, appeared with NMHS at that press conference and made statements in support of the Methodist action. This may have terminally damaged any other hopes to save the Indian Hills. After they could not get their lease of the Indian Hills, they expressed no other need or approach for preservation and expressed their agreement with the Methodist action. Karstens said, "We are in full agreement with Methodist that, as sad as it is for us, it's the right decision." I believe Karstens and Lutthans owe some kind of explanation of what went on in Omaha. NMHS had an innovative excuse for their action that resembled a scare tactic. NMHS CEO Steven Long said, "This is an old building that has an awful lot of asbestos, electrical, heating and air conditioning problems." (built in 1961?). Contractors hired to analyze the building's condition estimated it would cost $1.7 million to repair and renovate Indian Hills, NMHS said. NMHS did not provide any substantiation of details. A contractor has told me that asbestos isolation is relatively inexpensive. Incredibly, he said that the expensive asbestos removal process has to be done anyway to allow demolition. NMHS also pointed to a road widening as a potential problem. The City has not finalized plans for these actions and there are a number of ready solutions. Methodist nicely had the whole package wrapped up in one short day, with the assistance and blessing of Karstens and Lutthans! |
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