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A new, state-of-the-art drive-in theater is coming to the Denver Mart this spring.
The CEO and co-owner of the Denver Mart, John Doyle, is working to build a 300,000-square-foot theater space in the pavilion parking lot on the northwest portion of the 28-acre Denver Mart Complex at 451 E. 58th Ave. in southwest Adams County.
Despite the nationwide closing of dozens of drive-in movie theaters, Doyle said he believes his will be more novel and attractive to a 21st century audience based on the projection technology and convenience.
“We’re using the highest grade Christie projector, which will probably give you four to five times the visual intensity that you get from 35 millimeter projectors that are out there,” Doyle said. “And it’s one of the largest screens out there.”
The approximately 40 foot tall and 92 foot wide steel and aluminum screen will be raised 20 feet off the ground, making it tower 60 feet above the parking lot, where 440 spaces have been designated for viewing.
The screen will run parallel with Interstate 25, facing east, so that it’s not visible to drivers on the highway.
There are 3,000 parking spaces at the Denver Mart. Those designated for the seasonal theater make up about 15 percent of the total space, which Doyle does not believe will affect other traffic in and out of the complex. He also said that the brightness of the screen will entirely drown light pollution from downtown Denver.
“The only other drive-in facility that we have here is the 88 Drive-In Theater in Commerce City, which is the older model screen that’s about 30 percent the size of the screen that we will present,” Doyle said.
Movie-goers will also not have to worry about small sound boxes placed awkwardly on one side of the car, because the new-release movies will be simulcast over FM radio.
The adjacent pavilion exposition building will be open for bathroom facilities, and the 7,000-square-foot kitchen will be open for some concessions like sandwiches, drinks and popcorn.
The Denver Mart has a liquor license and plans to serve liquor in the pavilion lounge, but not beer.
The project won’t take much construction outside of the screen and projector installations. A portable facility will house the projection equipment. The screen installation is supposed to happen in late April, and the theater should be open for Memorial Day weekend.
Officials with Adams County say the county is not investing any money in the private development, which has been in the works for about 18 months.
“We had a local business owner who wanted to build a business, and I believe we should be supportive of anyone who wants to do that,” said Adams County Commissioner Erik Hansen. “Our role is providing a fair playing field that’s good for consumers.”
Doyle said the theater will be open seven nights a week from April to November, then maybe some three-day weekends during the off-season.
He said he will also work with the more than 200 Western wear vendors housed at the Denver Mart to do promotional giveaways for the drive-in.
“The project is in keeping the integrity of our wholesale businesses and the events that we do for third parties while adding another amenity that doesn’t conflict or interfere with those businesses,” Doyle said. “Very little operates here after 8 p.m., so it was a very easy decision to do it.”
Megan Mitchell: 303-954-2650, mmitchell@denverpost.com or twitter.com/Mmitchelldp
