Over the past several weeks, New York City leaders have used their time and influence to save a beloved institution. They are not working to save a small, family-owned pizzeria started by Italian immigrants who came to Ellis Island decades ago with a dream. Nor are they working to preserve a beautiful park where children can enjoy the outdoors in Manhattan. Instead, they are banding together to save the AMC movie theater in Manhattan's Kips Bay neighborhood.
Given elected officials' passion for saving this AMC, one would think the movie theater is being replaced by a drone factory or a slaughterhouse. Nope. These city leaders are pushing back against a hospital expansion for the sake of moviegoers. In September, New York Assembly Member Keith Powers (D–Manhattan) said that New York University (NYU) Langone Health intends to take over the property by early 2027. On Wednesday, an NYU spokesperson told the real estate outlet The Real Deal that "the deal is under contract and not expected to close until early 2027." The spokesperson added the site is expected to be used for "clinical space for patient care."
