Columbia Center 3
Willamette Avenue and Columbia Center Boulevard,
Kennewick,
WA
99336
Willamette Avenue and Columbia Center Boulevard,
Kennewick,
WA
99336
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Grand opening ad 21 November 1969 In photos with a double feature of “The Undefeated” and “TDYMITFM.” The facility was designed to go from a single screen to two in the original drawings. It would reach three screens and stop.
On December 13, 1986, SRO sold its 110 screen operation to Cineplex Odeon for $45 million. But the forthcoming megaplex era wiped out most of the twin and doubles. Act III acquired theaters from Cineplex Odeon in the Pacific Northwest in 1992 and this became an Act III venue.
They decided to build an 8-plex to replace the triple. It opened on Nov. 14, 1997 but Act III was convinced to keep the original three plex going in a surprise fourth act.
KKR took on Act III in 1998 that came under the Regal nameplate here. Regal declared bankruptcy in 2001 making it much easier to close out older twins, triples and quads. The last day here was September 30, 2001. “Summer Catch” and “American Outlaws” were the final two films shown that night.
Cineplex Odeon took over the Columbia Center 3 alongside other SRO operated theaters in December 1986. Act III began taking control of all indoor theaters in the tri-cities in 1992.
The original seat counts were 839 seats in #1, 239 in #2 and 424 in #3, there were only 3 auditoriums at this location.
The theater complex I knew as “Columbia Center 3” was finally demolished about 3-4 years ago. In its place: nothing. Just empty space in the shadow of Famous Dave’s and P.F. Chang’s. The only thing that remains is the theater marquee in the JCPenney parking lot, always covered up (with a banner) by whatever the mall is promoting at any given time.
Jan.5 1970 Residents, showing the good taste in films,“OLIVER” has a long run here .