Safety violations derail reopening of South Bay Cinemas movie theater in West Babylon
The June reopening of newly renovated South Bay Cinemas was put off after town inspectors said they found safety violations on the premises, shown here in May. Credit: Dawn McCormick
A West Babylon movie theater that was slated to reopen in time for the summer season may not start screenings until fall — or possibly ever — after town inspectors found numerous safety violations.
South Bay Cinemas owner Jay Levinson spent $1.3 million on a renovation to the property, which has been closed since 2016, and had planned to open by mid-June, Newsday previously reported.
But the theater didn't pass an inspection by Town of Babylon building, engineering and fire officials in early June, according to Assistant Chief Fire Marshal Anthony Cardali.
“If you went in there and saw the whole thing as a totality, you would say this isn’t even close to being finished,” he said.
Levinson, 69, who also owns the Bellmore Playhouse, said he has hired an attorney to question some of the town’s findings.
“They want me to do all these things that would cost me money that could cause this theater not opening ever,” he added.
The fire marshal’s office found 22 items that need to be addressed, ranging from removing construction debris to labeling exit doors to correcting “severe damage” to flame retardant curtains. The building department issued a list of 14 necessary fixes while engineering officials found six problems.
Cardali said because the building has an occupancy load of more than 500 people, fire safety is the overarching concern for the town.
“We take fire safety in public assembly extremely seriously,” Cardali said. “The life hazard here is tremendous based on the occupancy load.”
Cardali said problems include “major electrical violations," and the partial installation of fire stops — which prevent smoke and heat from moving from one area to another.
In addition, the electrical system in the projection area is in “extremely poor condition" with signs of water intrusion or rust from age, according to the fire official. The inspection also revealed wires hanging out of electrical connections and boxes throughout the theater, Cardali said.
Levinson said he has run out of money and needs a loan for the repairs, but hopes to resolve everything by September or October.
“It’s caused me a lot of agita,” he said. “To me, it feels like they’d rather have an empty building there.”
Babylon Village resident Gary Weiner, 56, said he is “tremendously disappointed” the theater won't open this summer because he had looked forward to seeing movies there with his teenage daughter.
“But things like electrical safety, that’s not a negotiable thing,” he said.
A West Babylon movie theater that was slated to reopen in time for the summer season may not start screenings until fall — or possibly ever — after town inspectors found numerous safety violations.
South Bay Cinemas owner Jay Levinson spent $1.3 million on a renovation to the property, which has been closed since 2016, and had planned to open by mid-June, Newsday previously reported.
But the theater didn't pass an inspection by Town of Babylon building, engineering and fire officials in early June, according to Assistant Chief Fire Marshal Anthony Cardali.
“If you went in there and saw the whole thing as a totality, you would say this isn’t even close to being finished,” he said.
Levinson, 69, who also owns the Bellmore Playhouse, said he has hired an attorney to question some of the town’s findings.
“They want me to do all these things that would cost me money that could cause this theater not opening ever,” he added.
The fire marshal’s office found 22 items that need to be addressed, ranging from removing construction debris to labeling exit doors to correcting “severe damage” to flame retardant curtains. The building department issued a list of 14 necessary fixes while engineering officials found six problems.
Cardali said because the building has an occupancy load of more than 500 people, fire safety is the overarching concern for the town.
“We take fire safety in public assembly extremely seriously,” Cardali said. “The life hazard here is tremendous based on the occupancy load.”
Cardali said problems include “major electrical violations," and the partial installation of fire stops — which prevent smoke and heat from moving from one area to another.
In addition, the electrical system in the projection area is in “extremely poor condition" with signs of water intrusion or rust from age, according to the fire official. The inspection also revealed wires hanging out of electrical connections and boxes throughout the theater, Cardali said.
Levinson said he has run out of money and needs a loan for the repairs, but hopes to resolve everything by September or October.
“It’s caused me a lot of agita,” he said. “To me, it feels like they’d rather have an empty building there.”
Babylon Village resident Gary Weiner, 56, said he is “tremendously disappointed” the theater won't open this summer because he had looked forward to seeing movies there with his teenage daughter.
“But things like electrical safety, that’s not a negotiable thing,” he said.
Denise Bonilla has worked at Newsday since 2003 and covers the Town of Babylon, including the villages of Lindenhurst and Amityville.
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