Small Town May Become Hollywood Hub
Officials Set To Vote On Movie Studio Project Monday
POSTED: 7:18 pm EDT October 26,
2008
UPDATED: 7:27 pm EDT October 26,
2008
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PLYMOUTH, Mass. -- Mel Gibson has been stirring up a buzz in Boston this week, but another Massachusetts town may soon steal the spotlight as the destination for Hollywood celebrities.
VIDEO: Small Town May Become Hollywood HubNewsCenter Five's Lynn Jolicoeur reported that officials in Plymouth will vote on Monday on a proposed $500 million project to construct a movie studio in the town.Proponents say Plymouth Rock Studios, which would be built on the site of a 240-acre golf course, would become a major staging area and production facility for moviemakers."This ultimately will be a place where those who have artistic gifts will be inspired to do the best that's inside of them," said Thom Black, of Plymouth Rock Studios.The town has already negotiated a 75 percent property tax break and other agreements with the proposed studio. If passed by Town Meeting on Monday, studio executives would then have to secure permits and $50 million in state-bonded infrastructure improvements."It's been our goal from the beginning to get the people involved, not only in planning, but in the vision, opportunities,” Black said. “We're talking over 2,000 jobs."The proposal passed with 88 percent approval in a non-binding referendum in May."I'm leaning toward the right,” said Dick Quintal, a member of the Plymouth Board of Selectmen. “These people won't wait two years. We've put way too much work into this."Studio leaders said the movie house and educational space will be constructed as a “green” facility that will contribute to the area financially and aesthetically.Residents who live near the proposed site said they support the idea, but want to make sure the bustle of a movie studio doesn’t disturb the neighborhood."You have to keep track of what they're going to do -- that they're not going to alter the neighborhood too much, “said Plymouth resident Bryan Bock. “Keep the tranquility we have here."Town Meeting members may propose a last-minute amendment to change the type of traffic access permits to “as of right” permits, which have a quick court appeal process. Under the current language, any permit dispute could drag on for two years.
VIDEO: Small Town May Become Hollywood HubNewsCenter Five's Lynn Jolicoeur reported that officials in Plymouth will vote on Monday on a proposed $500 million project to construct a movie studio in the town.Proponents say Plymouth Rock Studios, which would be built on the site of a 240-acre golf course, would become a major staging area and production facility for moviemakers."This ultimately will be a place where those who have artistic gifts will be inspired to do the best that's inside of them," said Thom Black, of Plymouth Rock Studios.The town has already negotiated a 75 percent property tax break and other agreements with the proposed studio. If passed by Town Meeting on Monday, studio executives would then have to secure permits and $50 million in state-bonded infrastructure improvements."It's been our goal from the beginning to get the people involved, not only in planning, but in the vision, opportunities,” Black said. “We're talking over 2,000 jobs."The proposal passed with 88 percent approval in a non-binding referendum in May."I'm leaning toward the right,” said Dick Quintal, a member of the Plymouth Board of Selectmen. “These people won't wait two years. We've put way too much work into this."Studio leaders said the movie house and educational space will be constructed as a “green” facility that will contribute to the area financially and aesthetically.Residents who live near the proposed site said they support the idea, but want to make sure the bustle of a movie studio doesn’t disturb the neighborhood."You have to keep track of what they're going to do -- that they're not going to alter the neighborhood too much, “said Plymouth resident Bryan Bock. “Keep the tranquility we have here."Town Meeting members may propose a last-minute amendment to change the type of traffic access permits to “as of right” permits, which have a quick court appeal process. Under the current language, any permit dispute could drag on for two years.Copyright 2009 by TheBostonChannel.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
