@ R Norenberg, You’re absolutely right, there is plenty of empty commercial land in that part of Snohomish County that could have been just as appropriate for Swedish.
I’m sure SRO got an offer they couldn’t refuse, and perhaps they were looking for a way out of the theater business —– don’t forget that SRO would have had to invest $50K-$100K to switch to digital projectors by the end of 2013.
The other five remaining drive-ins in Washington State are grappling with this issue as I write.
@ HogGravynChitlins, the area in question was in dire need of emergency room services closer than the next closest hospitals — a 15-20 minute ride north or south was previously the difference between life or death for many people in emergency situations.
(Swedish isn’t the only hospital with financial troubles; caring for the underinsured and uninsured is breaking the bank for everyone — except insurance and pharmaceutical companies.)
No — when this USGS shot was taken, the major highway to the right of the drive-in is Interstate 5, which replaced Washington State Route 99 at that location.
When Everett’s Puget Park Drive-In closed in September 2009 for the season, patrons had no idea that the triple bill “Nine,†“The Proposal†and “District 9" would be the final films to flicker on the 50'x 100' screen.
Owner Sterling Realty Organization has made an agreement with Swedish Health Services of Seattle to open a $30 million stand-alone emergency room on the drive-in property.
@ R Norenberg, You’re absolutely right, there is plenty of empty commercial land in that part of Snohomish County that could have been just as appropriate for Swedish.
I’m sure SRO got an offer they couldn’t refuse, and perhaps they were looking for a way out of the theater business —– don’t forget that SRO would have had to invest $50K-$100K to switch to digital projectors by the end of 2013.
The other five remaining drive-ins in Washington State are grappling with this issue as I write.
@ HogGravynChitlins, the area in question was in dire need of emergency room services closer than the next closest hospitals — a 15-20 minute ride north or south was previously the difference between life or death for many people in emergency situations.
(Swedish isn’t the only hospital with financial troubles; caring for the underinsured and uninsured is breaking the bank for everyone — except insurance and pharmaceutical companies.)
Also, the Google map on the upper right side of this page is incorrect. I don’t know how it decided that location… sigh
No — when this USGS shot was taken, the major highway to the right of the drive-in is Interstate 5, which replaced Washington State Route 99 at that location.
Here is an excellent history of the theater, excerpted from the book “Mill Town Footlights” by David Dilgard:
http://www.everetttheatre.org/content/history
When Everett’s Puget Park Drive-In closed in September 2009 for the season, patrons had no idea that the triple bill “Nine,†“The Proposal†and “District 9" would be the final films to flicker on the 50'x 100' screen.
Owner Sterling Realty Organization has made an agreement with Swedish Health Services of Seattle to open a $30 million stand-alone emergency room on the drive-in property.
More can be read here: View link