Want to run a drive-in? Here are the lease terms for this 74-year-old theater in New York
The National Park Service is making another attempt at seeking a new operator for the Hyde Park Drive-In Movie Theater.
This time the federal agency, which owns the property on Route 9 where the drive-in is located, has changed some of its land use requirements in order to make the request for proposal more "attractive" and to "increase competitiveness."
The federal agency reissued its RFP to lease, operate and maintain the property after canceling its initial search in June.
“We appreciate the great feedback by potential applicants and want to ensure the treasured drive-in has the best caretakers moving forward,” noted park superintendent, Amy Bracewell. “We hope the new RFP is more attractive and achievable for potential applicants.”
The drive-in has been closed since May after the operator's lease ended and the federal agency began its search for a new operator.
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The drive-in industry has seen a 30% decrease in the number of sites in the country between 1999 and 2018, according to the United Drive-In Theatre Owners Association data.
The Hyde Park Drive-in was opened in 1949 by Sidney and Ida Cohen, who added Overlook Drive-in at 126 De Garmo Road in Poughkeepsie in 1955. Barry Horowitz, a family member who previously managed the drive-in, would not comment for this story.
A more 'attractive' lease
The updated RFP extends the term of the lease. Offers can propose a lease term "up to maximum of twenty (20) years." The previous RFP allowed for a lease term of up to 10 years.
Request for proposals: Read the terms of Hyde Park Drive-In lease
The property can also be used year round — previous terms outlined use between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
The operator can also sublease the concession operations, space for food trucks or allow "similar operations" with prior approval from National Park Service.
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Both RFPs allowed for "improvements" to the property. Changes to the landscape and "setting" of the drive-in would require approval through historic preservation compliance. Improvements to the property can offset the rent, which is $4,000 per month.
The NPS said the former operator took the projection equipment with them, which was their personal property, according to Bracewell.
Saba Ali: Sali1@poughkeepsiejournal.com: 845-451-4518: @MsSabaAli.
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Future of Hyde Park Drive-In: What new use terms mean
