Group: 'Save Cinedome 70'

In January 2010, The Larry H. Miller Group moved its Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealership into the former Saturn building at 5212 Freeway Park Drive. By March, business was going so well that a new dealership was planned for the Cinedome site, to be completed by mid-2011.

Jay Francis, executive vice president of operations, said, "My understanding is there is no way to save the building. ...there are some safety issues with the building itself."

The Miller Group is doing soil testing and working with the city "to determine if the property will work for the new dealership". The Miller Group has not purchased the former theater yet, but the sale is under contract. After the sale is finalized, in 30 to 60 days, then a demolition date will be set.

Last week, Allen Glines, who was only 14 when the theater showed its last film, created the "Save the Cinedome 70" group on Facebook. By Friday, the group had grown to more than 2,400 people. The group encourages members to attend city council meetings, write letters, and work to keep Riverdale's movie theater intact.

Gines said, "Nobody wants a dealership here. There's 13 dealerships on Riverdale Road already. The city has no personality whatsoever. To tear down the only building that does have personality? That's wrong."