GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The owners of Celebration Cinema are making plans to put an entertainment complex and movie theater downtown south of the Van Andel Arena.

The complex on the southwest corner of Oakes Street and Ionia Avenue SW would have eight to nine screens and space for several restaurants, said J.D. Loeks, president of Jackson Entertainment LLC. The site currently is a city parking lot.

Besides offering movies, the complex would serve the business community and convention industry by offering a venue for live remote events and “live, live events,” Loeks said.

“This is, first and foremost, going to be a presentation facility,” said developer Chris Muller, president of M Retail Solutions.

The Downtown Development Authority cleared the path for the project this morning by approving a two-year option that will sell the parking lot to Jackson Entertainment LLC.

The price will be determined by an independent appraisal, according to DDA Director Jay Fowler. The option calls for Jackson Entertainment to invest at least $8.5 million into the project.

Loeks noted his grandfather, the late John Loeks, began the family’s entertainment empire in 1944 by opening the former Midtown Theater on Pearl Street NW between Ottawa and Monroe avenues.

“We’re trying to establish a full circle, coming back to our roots,” Loeks said. He said it probably will take at least a year for construction to get underway.

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E-mail Jim Harger: jharger@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JHHarger