The Sears store may also be replaced with new retail stores and restaurants.
WATCHUNG -- A developer has proposed the building of a state-of-the-art cinema in the borough, which would be the only movie theater on the Route 22 corridor from Bridgewater to Mountainside, said borough administrator Thomas Atkins Monday.
The Cinemark, which would include the theater's signature Luxury Loungers, has been proposed on the site of the Sears Auto Center on the east side of the intersection of Route 22 and Terrill Road on a 5.5 acre property.
On the west side, Seritage Growth Properties, a national real estate firm based in New York, which is project's developer, wants to convert the Sears store 12.5-acre property into a development including new stores and restaurants.
The Watchung Planning Board will hold hearings on both projects Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the borough hall.
Representatives from Cinemark, Seritage and Sears didn't return phone calls seeking comment.
Cinemark, headquartered in Plano, Texas, owns only two other cinemas in New Jersey -- in Hazlet and Camden County, but is the third-largest cinema chain in the United States with 526 in 41 states.
Sears' announced in February, it would be closing 42 Sears and 108 Kmart stores this year as part of a plan to save $1 billion.
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.