MULTIPLEX HAILED AS SIGN OF REVIVAL AT VAN NUYS SITE; IT'S MOVIE MOVE-IN DAY AT THE PLANT.

Byline: Michael Coit Daily News Staff Writer

Joe Routh came to the old General Motors plant site Friday to catch a movie at the Mann theater grand opening, but also to see if it was really true: Was his blighted neighborhood reborn?

Routh had seen the Van Nuys Boulevard plant when times were good, and when the factory closed more than six years ago, leaving 70 acres of dust and weeds.

So on Friday, Routh was happy to join more than 100 moviegoers in ceremonies marking a milestone in the rebirth of The Plant, once home to the Camaro and Firebird, and now a retail hub featuring the San Fernando Valley's newest state-of-the art cinema.

``That means a lot to us here in Van Nuys. It gives a sense of home,'' said Routh, who paid his $5 to see ``Virus'' in one of the eight theaters ready for the opening. ``I was waiting for a big theater. I never thought it would come.''

Like Routh, the matinee crowd was excited to have finally in their community a theater featuring stadium-style seating, giant screens and digital sound, and buckets of hot, buttered popcorn.

The opening ceremonies were limited to the length of a movie preview so the appreciative patrons could get inside the gleaming multiplex.

``We do it with pride when we get to invest in a community like this,'' said Jeffrey Lewine, principal owner of the 450-screen Mann Theatres chain. ``It becomes a magnet for the community and incorporates the direct community into a larger sphere of neighborhoods.''

With eight screens ready for the opening and another eight set to open in about two weeks, the theater is bound to be a magnet for movie fans across the northeast and central San Fernando Valley.

Mann officials said market potential is why the theater chain opened its second 16-screen multiplex in an area still rebounding from the staggering General Motors assembly plant closure.

And elected officials agreed.

``For this community, it is about time. But it had to be nested in a larger project,'' explained state Sen. Richard Alarcon, who represented the area on the Los Angeles City Council for six years. ``It signals the kind of change that we've seen in the Northeast Valley and the San Fernando Valley as a whole.''

Stores at The Plant shopping mall already include: Home Depot, Office Max, Babies `R' Us, Tu Musica, Ross Dress for Less, Party City, In-N-Out Burger and Home Town Buffet.

The commercial and industrial centers are expected to bring in some 2,000 new jobs.

Mann Theatres filled a significant number of its 100 job openings with residents from surrounding communities, said Arash Behrang, managing director for The Plant multiplex.

For Vilma Ekonomo, full-time work on the floor behind the concession counter or as an usher is enjoyable, and only a five-minute drive from home.

After three weeks of training, Ekonomo managed to get a good shift. By working 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, she will have time to spend with her 8-month-old daughter and 6-year-old son.

``This is perfect. I will be able to be with my kids, to take my son to school early in the morning and to be home early for them,'' she noted.

Patrons reach the multiplex through a driveway leading to the rear of The Plant commercial center. There are signs on Van Nuys Boulevard and over the driveway near the Home Depot store.

The outside walls are done in muted shades of green and yellow. There are brick sidewalks, and ample landscaping containing trees and shrubs.

Inside, there are cheery shades of purple, yellow, aqua, fuchsia, burgundy and rust.

The theaters range in size from 110 seats, where ``You've Got Mail'' and ``The Prince of Egypt'' are showing, to 383 seats, where ``The Thin Red Line'' is showing.

The new theater and stores impressed Miguel and Debbie Espinoza.

``It looks nice and has good seats,'' he said. ``As long as they keep it safe with lights, I think it will be good for the people in this area.''