NEWPORT — Newport on the Levee is not a shopping center and is not intended to compete with the likes of Florence Mall or Kenwood Towne Center, according to the vice president of the company developing the $210 million entertainment complex on the river.

        Barry Rosenberg, vice president of Steiner & Asso ciates of Columbus and president and co-owner of the Newport Aquarium, emphasized Wednesday that Newport on the Levee is “a leisure-time center.”

        “People won't come here to do their serious shopping, like they would at a mall,” he said as he toured the nearly completed project situated between Third Street and the flood wall.

        “We look at this as a place where people will come to the AMC (movie) theaters, the 3-D IMAX theater, the GameWorks, they'll eat in the restaurants and spend time in the specialty shops.”

        Newport on the Levee will open — partially — in October with about 20 of its 50 tenants in place. Mr. Rosenberg said the remainder will be phased in over the next five months with all tenants open for business in March of 2002.

        “We're not talking about the tenants who will be here later,” he said. “Right now we're focusing on the tenants that will be open to the public in October.”

        That includes the 20-screen AMC multiplex, the First Star 3-D IMAX, Mitchell's Fish Market restaurant, the Shadowbox Cabaret, GameWorks, Barnes & Noble Booksellers, a Coldstone Creamery ice cream shop, as well as several specialty shops and fast-food restau rants.

        Mr. Rosenberg said the developer didn't want people visiting Newport on the Levee in October for the first time to be disappointed because they had read about some shops and/or restaurants scheduled to open later but not available when they were there.

        The Shadowbox Cabaret is a professional theater ensemble which includes premiere shows, comedy and live rock 'n' roll, all geared to an adult audience and decidedly "R' rated. It originated in Columbus and has been a big hit in that city.

        GameWorks, which will occupy 22,000 square feet, is billed as a high-tech entertainment destination that includes interactive games, and full-service restaurant and bar.

        The AMC multiplex, which takes up most of the upper levee of the Levee complex, will accommodate up to 4,400 people in 20 theaters all featuring stadium seating with plush upholstered seats on risers 18 inches high.

        “No one will have to worry about not being able to see because of the person in front of them,” Mr. Rosenberg said. “We believe AMC is building the best movie complex in the country right now.”

        By October, visitors to Newport on the Levee will be able to enter the 2,000-car parking garage from two sides, one off Washington Avenue and Dave Cowens Drive, which has been open for over a year, and a second behind the 3-D IMAX theater.

        Valet parking will be available at a drive-through area just off Third Street.

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