Mr. Chamberlain would like to see The Wilson Boys and Girls Club getting some of the money. Not a bad idea but I got to say I think he is asking the wrong question. The better question is: what does Anderson get for its money from The Paramount?During budget hearings, the City Council addressed several issues including the $10,000 the city gives the Paramount Theatre Centre monthly.
The money is appropriated through the food and beverage funds, which is supposed to be used for economic development.
Rodney Chamberlain, D-at large, was the loudest voice against the subsidies.
“I know that’s a vital part of our community,” he said. “It’s just not fair.”
***Mayor Kevin Smith, who was present at the meeting, was upset by Chamberlain’s proposal to use the money elsewhere.
“The Paramount is economic development, and it is essential to downtown,” he said.
Smith said the theater is one of the only businesses drawing outsiders to the downtown area.
Speaking abstractly, The Paramount does give Anderson a great starting point for a downtown based on entertainment. The theater possesses the largest movie screen in Indiana and the largest venue between Emens in Muncie and Verizon in Hamilton County. From the article, I would say that Mayor Smith knows the possible value of an entertainment based downtown. “We’re hoping for some effect when the State Theater comes in line,” he said. (Which does the raise the question of when The State will come online. After all, 13th Street is now a two-way street and I recall the owner needing that before opening.)
Reality might be a different, though. Take a look at The Paramount's schedule here. Why would anyone come from Indianapolis or Muncie to see any of these offerings? Kevin Pollack might be the exception but he cancelled his show. (By the way, I do hope that out of town means further than Pendleton or Lapel or Orestes). What is The Paramount's marketing strategy? Where does it market itself?
I do not think that The Paramount wants much to do with movies (its lone film is one of the Harry Potter films) - concessions cannot be taken into the theater proper. What remains on its schedule seems fusty. I am not sure these offerings will get many to come across town, let alone from outside of Anderson. If The Paramount is not scheduling events that will attract people from outside of Anderson, if it is not marketing to attract people from outside of Anderson, then what is Anderson getting for its money?
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