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Council approves loan amendment for Starlight Drive-In owner to restructure $200,000 District 3 loan
Summary
Council approved an amendment that lets Starlight Drive-In owner Blake Smith pay $50,000 up front and repay the remainder with monthly payments starting July 1, with the loan proceeds returning to District 3 for community investments.
The Wichita City Council unanimously approved an amendment Tuesday to the District 3 $200,000 low-interest loan that helped the Starlight Drive-In acquire projection equipment and reopen the historic venue.
The loan was originally funded from a $1 million allocation given to each council district after the Hyatt Regency sale; District 3 used $200,000 as a low-interest loan to enable new projectors and reopening in 2019. Owner Blake Smith told council via Microsoft Teams that attendance and movie releases have tightened industrywide — citing the pandemic and industry strikes — and said he intends to pay $50,000 in February and then begin monthly payments of about $2,100 on July 1, with a repayment schedule running through June 2031.
Staff recommended the amendment; the council approved the contract amendment and authorized necessary signatures. Smith signed a personal guarantee and will provide a bank letter of credit. Councilmember Hoheisel, whose district includes the drive-in, spoke in support and thanked the owner and partners for preserving the facility.
The Starlight’s operator said the 2025 season is expected to begin Feb. 14 and that the business has adjusted pricing and operations to address reduced film release volume and attendance trends.
The motion to approve the contract amendment passed 7–0.
