The building is simply a shell of what it once was. And it is over $8 million to fix it up. All but about $20,000 is TAX DOLLARS. The supporters have tried for years to raise money. Should TIF funds that are “earmarked to spearhead private development in blighted areas” be used to restore the theatre? Should the TIF district be extended to 2024 to accomodate the theatre? Find PRIVATE investment to take the lead and go for it! Let the village give away the building, the land (worth well over a million), and the remaining $900,0000 in TIF to a private investor and all will support the plan. The issue is that 99 percent of the restoration is coming from TAX sources one way or another. The village simply cannnot afford to be in the theatre business. But they sure can afford to to give away the gift if some private venture is willing to take on all the risks. That has been our mantra for years now. Not one of us are out to discredit the theatre or to bring on the bulldozers. All we want to see is PRIVATE INVESTMENT take the lead and if that is not going to happen then it is time for something else to happen on one of the largest under-developed sites in Lombard
The village of Lombard currently owns the theatre. A development proposal for $30+ million was received by the village that incorporates a restored theatre (for over $8 million) and condos, retail space, and parking for about $25 million. The deal has not been approved by the village at any level and will face an uphill battle given density, zoning, and TIF issues. The deal is supposed to be formally presented to the village board in a few weeks. Time will tell what happens next. And you are so right, the Wheaton Grand is an excellent example of what could happen with the Dupe…only problem is the Dupe is not habitable at this point and will take more than a little elbow grease to get it to a usable condition again. Read and paricipate in lively discussion of the DuPage Theatre issues at www.lombardvilagevoice.com and get updates on the latest efforts at www.dupagetheatre.net
The plan is to renovate/restore the theatre, add a new aesthetically pleasing arched roof, add new space to the rear of the building, and then build a new multi-story condo/retail structure directly south of the theatre building. The old building will be renovated to convert old aparments into new condos and the old retail space into truly leasable space. The cost is estimated at well over $30 million for the entire project with over 80 new condo units and 20,000 square feet of new retail space. It will require village approval for site variances and TIF extensions. Time will tell what happens next..but it is an impressive and aggresive plan
To again set the record straight, Concerned Taxpayer does not own any web domains, never used any pictures illegally, and never posted any private emails. Concerned Taxpayer is obviously not who you think it is so please, once again, stop the personal attacks, slander, and pointing fingers. But face “TheTruth”…the plan for the theatre unfortunately failed. Face reality as it’s partial restoration or a “bulldozer parade” as you so affectionately called it. Which do you want?
And your posting has been forwarded to the webmaster since it is in violation of terms of use of this site as you are prohibited from posting or transmitting to or from this Site any libelous or deflamatory materials that would violate any civil rights of others. Violation of these restrictions may result in limitations on your access to this Site.
Very well put “Life’s too short”. Thank you for sensible ending to this discussion. “Concerned Taxpayer” and others just presented key financial facts…not meant to aggravate or point fingers and never resorted to personal attacks like the “advocates” seemed to do. The supporters tried endlessly and are thanked for their efforts.
Today all we have is a village owned fenced in decaying shell of a building in the heart of downtown that has been “abandoned” for years. Creative reuse is the only financially viable solution at this point since the village has essentially pulled the plug on their funding. And shouldn’t we all agree that reuse is a better fate than a date with the wrecking ball?
If “public opinion” was strongly in favor of this theatre restoration, supporters would have had more than $67,000 in private pledges for a $6 million public project and more than 2400 names on their mailing list given this is a suburb of 42,000+ and part of a MAJOR metropolitan area (Chicago). And thanks for the examples (it’s the Genesee by the way and the supporters are the ones that first used it as an example, not me)…most are larger than the 500-600 seat theatre project here in Lombard. And be it known that I was strongly in favor of this restoration project until doing some digging on the finances…and discovering that this would fast become a civic owned tax draining enterprise. If the “market” could fully support the theatre, then supporters should have floated “municipal or PFC bonds” or better yet had put it out to referendum to gauge public opinion. The truth of the matter is that it would not have worked as the risks were too great for the bonds to be underwritten and the referendum would have likely sent an even stronger and resounding NO GO on this project. Yes it will be a sad day to see it possibly go down but sometimes there is pain with progress.
Be it known that a plan that restores the facade, retains key historic components of the theatre, and keeps away “more condos” has been put forth on many occassions. So “slash and burn” is not the solution..never was presented as the solution. The solution is creative reuse of the structure…not as a theatre but as a small scale commercial development and even a library. And don’t forget if the theatre supporters had gotten their way, their plan included more condos and retail on the “south parcel”.
They would visit this site to protect taxpaying citizens from debacles like the DuPage Theatre that depend almost entirely on tax dollars to make it happen. The Village Board has spoken….Village President Mueuller did the right thing in finding theatre supporters in default of their restoration agreement. Supporters claimed retractors were “poisoning the well”….gee, maybe only with the truth. So I guess we can say three trustees and the Village President must have taken a drink from the well of truth (as only the supporters would see the truth and financial reality as poison).
Talk about a need for cleaning up after those that throw mud…simply look at theatre restoration financing, their claims that it will work, and take a peak at the crass comments put forth by theatre foundation supporters on other forums. They can do nothing but attack since the FACTS speak for themselves. Doesn’t the theatre plan call for more condos on the “south parcel”? The only misinformation continuing to be posted and published comes from suppporters themselves. And creative reuses have been put out for open discussion many times..and it certainly never included condos, parking lots or a CVS. In fact it includes restoration of key components of the theatre, thus the appropriateness of open discussion in this “restoration forum”. And how can you generalize that people against the DuPage don’t care about the arts? So far from the truth….most just don’t care for a village owned and taxpayer supported effort to restore the DuPage. One only needs to dig into the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan to see what could happen ($10 million over budget, $500,000 operating deficit)on Main Street.
After a seventy six year run at Main and Parkside in downtown Lombard, the final curtain dropped today, December 1st, on the DuPage Theatre (affectionately known to many simply as the “Dupe”)as restoration contracts were not in place by the deadline. The Dupe had a good run for his first 60 or so years…featuring live radio productions such as the National Barn Dance, live performances by Gene Autry, Pat Butram, and George Goebel, classic films, and later in life divided up into a budget multiplex. The last several years were tough on this old friend. Despite big ideas for redevelopment by Big Ideas in the mid 1990’s and a valiant effort for restoration by many Friends in 2004, the Dupe never recovered fully.
All is not lost in Lombard though as the Dupe is survived by many old buildings in town including the Sheldon Peck House, the restored chapel at Main and Maple, the Historical Society house, and many other significant residential structures including the much adored “Orphan Annie House” right up Main Street. Creative reuse/redevelopment of the site of this historic structure is anticipated and all in town will benefit from his legacy.
DuPage Theatre supporters have only about $125,000 in the bank….and it certainly is not enough to enter into contracts or agreements for the phase 1 and phase 2 work to the tune of $1.9 million.
Said the DuPage Theatre Foundation spokesperson in an article recenlty published in the Daily Herald: “Because it’s complicated doesn’t mean it’s iffy”. Do the supporters not see that it is complicated and iffy only by one simple fact…there is not enough money in the bank to restore this theatre? At least three Village Trustees have seemed to realize this fact from their comments at the October 21st village board meeting.
How can the DuPage Theatre Foundation continue to state that they are moving forward on awarding a contract or hiring a firm to manage construction when there is no money to pay for it?
Could it be that the truth hurts?
I am certainly not against restoration of historic treasures by private enterprise. There are many wonderful examples like the spectacular Tivoli in Downers Grove.
And to misinform? Not at all. Just presenting the facts here…no matter how painful they may be to the DuPage supporters. Cinema Treasures is free to remove the comments they deem argumentative or against restoration. But is it really wrong to present the facts on the restoration scene? Maybe it is to the supporters since the truth is so painful.
To REALLY Set the Record Straight…..
Big Idea did not outgrow the location…they never did anything with the theatre after purchasing it….other than board it up. They never got their “big idea” going at this site. Yes, the “white elephant” was given to the village. And yes, the village has an agreement with the DuPage Foundation…but the village is still the owner and responsible for the building. And TIF funds are TAX DOLLARS….just as the Save The Treasure grants and other moneys they are seeking are all TAX DOLLARS. If it was a sensible project you would not need federal tax credits, TIF funding, and grant money to make it work…free enterprise would make it a success. The people working to save the theatre are down to the wire….and that hum we hear in the distance is not cheers of support from vilage residents but instead the bulldozers warming up to finally tear it down. For the real story visit www.dupagetheatre.com
Here’s some news that’s fit to be printed for all to know…..
Did you know that nearly 90% ($4,737,103.00) of the restoration of the the DuPage Theatre will be funded using tax dollars (whether it be TIF or tax credits..it’s still tax dollars). Less than 3% ($93,886.00) of the funds “raised” to date are private individual donations. And most of that private money is “pledged” and not “real money” in the bank.
Did you know that to date nearly $270,000.00* of money raised, both private and public, has been spent on the DuPage Theatre. Yet a “safety fence” has recently been installed around the building, on the recommendation of the Lombard building department, to protect the public from loose bricks, mortar, etc. and to avoid potential injury and lawsuits
*$125,000.00 Illinois First Grant, $79,369.20 Lombard Restoration Fund Hard & Soft Donations, $19,000.00 Friends of DuPage Theatre, Ltd Donation, $25,114.00 Individual Cash Donations to the Foundation and $20,086.90 in parking revenue. Source: DuPage Theatre Foundation, Inc. Pledge Report â€" August 31, 2004, DuPage Theatre Foundation, Inc. Treasurer’s Report â€" August 31, 2004
Did you know you can learn even more when you visit www.dupagetheatre.com for the real story and for more detailed information. You can also see comments from DuPage supporters, opponents, and most importantly the taxpayers and citizens of Lombard.
The building is simply a shell of what it once was. And it is over $8 million to fix it up. All but about $20,000 is TAX DOLLARS. The supporters have tried for years to raise money. Should TIF funds that are “earmarked to spearhead private development in blighted areas” be used to restore the theatre? Should the TIF district be extended to 2024 to accomodate the theatre? Find PRIVATE investment to take the lead and go for it! Let the village give away the building, the land (worth well over a million), and the remaining $900,0000 in TIF to a private investor and all will support the plan. The issue is that 99 percent of the restoration is coming from TAX sources one way or another. The village simply cannnot afford to be in the theatre business. But they sure can afford to to give away the gift if some private venture is willing to take on all the risks. That has been our mantra for years now. Not one of us are out to discredit the theatre or to bring on the bulldozers. All we want to see is PRIVATE INVESTMENT take the lead and if that is not going to happen then it is time for something else to happen on one of the largest under-developed sites in Lombard
The village of Lombard currently owns the theatre. A development proposal for $30+ million was received by the village that incorporates a restored theatre (for over $8 million) and condos, retail space, and parking for about $25 million. The deal has not been approved by the village at any level and will face an uphill battle given density, zoning, and TIF issues. The deal is supposed to be formally presented to the village board in a few weeks. Time will tell what happens next. And you are so right, the Wheaton Grand is an excellent example of what could happen with the Dupe…only problem is the Dupe is not habitable at this point and will take more than a little elbow grease to get it to a usable condition again. Read and paricipate in lively discussion of the DuPage Theatre issues at www.lombardvilagevoice.com and get updates on the latest efforts at www.dupagetheatre.net
The plan is to renovate/restore the theatre, add a new aesthetically pleasing arched roof, add new space to the rear of the building, and then build a new multi-story condo/retail structure directly south of the theatre building. The old building will be renovated to convert old aparments into new condos and the old retail space into truly leasable space. The cost is estimated at well over $30 million for the entire project with over 80 new condo units and 20,000 square feet of new retail space. It will require village approval for site variances and TIF extensions. Time will tell what happens next..but it is an impressive and aggresive plan
To again set the record straight, Concerned Taxpayer does not own any web domains, never used any pictures illegally, and never posted any private emails. Concerned Taxpayer is obviously not who you think it is so please, once again, stop the personal attacks, slander, and pointing fingers. But face “TheTruth”…the plan for the theatre unfortunately failed. Face reality as it’s partial restoration or a “bulldozer parade” as you so affectionately called it. Which do you want?
And your posting has been forwarded to the webmaster since it is in violation of terms of use of this site as you are prohibited from posting or transmitting to or from this Site any libelous or deflamatory materials that would violate any civil rights of others. Violation of these restrictions may result in limitations on your access to this Site.
Very well put “Life’s too short”. Thank you for sensible ending to this discussion. “Concerned Taxpayer” and others just presented key financial facts…not meant to aggravate or point fingers and never resorted to personal attacks like the “advocates” seemed to do. The supporters tried endlessly and are thanked for their efforts.
Today all we have is a village owned fenced in decaying shell of a building in the heart of downtown that has been “abandoned” for years. Creative reuse is the only financially viable solution at this point since the village has essentially pulled the plug on their funding. And shouldn’t we all agree that reuse is a better fate than a date with the wrecking ball?
If “public opinion” was strongly in favor of this theatre restoration, supporters would have had more than $67,000 in private pledges for a $6 million public project and more than 2400 names on their mailing list given this is a suburb of 42,000+ and part of a MAJOR metropolitan area (Chicago). And thanks for the examples (it’s the Genesee by the way and the supporters are the ones that first used it as an example, not me)…most are larger than the 500-600 seat theatre project here in Lombard. And be it known that I was strongly in favor of this restoration project until doing some digging on the finances…and discovering that this would fast become a civic owned tax draining enterprise. If the “market” could fully support the theatre, then supporters should have floated “municipal or PFC bonds” or better yet had put it out to referendum to gauge public opinion. The truth of the matter is that it would not have worked as the risks were too great for the bonds to be underwritten and the referendum would have likely sent an even stronger and resounding NO GO on this project. Yes it will be a sad day to see it possibly go down but sometimes there is pain with progress.
Be it known that a plan that restores the facade, retains key historic components of the theatre, and keeps away “more condos” has been put forth on many occassions. So “slash and burn” is not the solution..never was presented as the solution. The solution is creative reuse of the structure…not as a theatre but as a small scale commercial development and even a library. And don’t forget if the theatre supporters had gotten their way, their plan included more condos and retail on the “south parcel”.
They would visit this site to protect taxpaying citizens from debacles like the DuPage Theatre that depend almost entirely on tax dollars to make it happen. The Village Board has spoken….Village President Mueuller did the right thing in finding theatre supporters in default of their restoration agreement. Supporters claimed retractors were “poisoning the well”….gee, maybe only with the truth. So I guess we can say three trustees and the Village President must have taken a drink from the well of truth (as only the supporters would see the truth and financial reality as poison).
Talk about a need for cleaning up after those that throw mud…simply look at theatre restoration financing, their claims that it will work, and take a peak at the crass comments put forth by theatre foundation supporters on other forums. They can do nothing but attack since the FACTS speak for themselves. Doesn’t the theatre plan call for more condos on the “south parcel”? The only misinformation continuing to be posted and published comes from suppporters themselves. And creative reuses have been put out for open discussion many times..and it certainly never included condos, parking lots or a CVS. In fact it includes restoration of key components of the theatre, thus the appropriateness of open discussion in this “restoration forum”. And how can you generalize that people against the DuPage don’t care about the arts? So far from the truth….most just don’t care for a village owned and taxpayer supported effort to restore the DuPage. One only needs to dig into the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan to see what could happen ($10 million over budget, $500,000 operating deficit)on Main Street.
DuPage Theatre
1928-2004
After a seventy six year run at Main and Parkside in downtown Lombard, the final curtain dropped today, December 1st, on the DuPage Theatre (affectionately known to many simply as the “Dupe”)as restoration contracts were not in place by the deadline. The Dupe had a good run for his first 60 or so years…featuring live radio productions such as the National Barn Dance, live performances by Gene Autry, Pat Butram, and George Goebel, classic films, and later in life divided up into a budget multiplex. The last several years were tough on this old friend. Despite big ideas for redevelopment by Big Ideas in the mid 1990’s and a valiant effort for restoration by many Friends in 2004, the Dupe never recovered fully.
All is not lost in Lombard though as the Dupe is survived by many old buildings in town including the Sheldon Peck House, the restored chapel at Main and Maple, the Historical Society house, and many other significant residential structures including the much adored “Orphan Annie House” right up Main Street. Creative reuse/redevelopment of the site of this historic structure is anticipated and all in town will benefit from his legacy.
A later date with the wrecking ball is planned.
DuPage Theatre supporters have only about $125,000 in the bank….and it certainly is not enough to enter into contracts or agreements for the phase 1 and phase 2 work to the tune of $1.9 million.
Said the DuPage Theatre Foundation spokesperson in an article recenlty published in the Daily Herald: “Because it’s complicated doesn’t mean it’s iffy”. Do the supporters not see that it is complicated and iffy only by one simple fact…there is not enough money in the bank to restore this theatre? At least three Village Trustees have seemed to realize this fact from their comments at the October 21st village board meeting.
How can the DuPage Theatre Foundation continue to state that they are moving forward on awarding a contract or hiring a firm to manage construction when there is no money to pay for it?
Could it be that the truth hurts?
I am certainly not against restoration of historic treasures by private enterprise. There are many wonderful examples like the spectacular Tivoli in Downers Grove.
And to misinform? Not at all. Just presenting the facts here…no matter how painful they may be to the DuPage supporters. Cinema Treasures is free to remove the comments they deem argumentative or against restoration. But is it really wrong to present the facts on the restoration scene? Maybe it is to the supporters since the truth is so painful.
To REALLY Set the Record Straight…..
Big Idea did not outgrow the location…they never did anything with the theatre after purchasing it….other than board it up. They never got their “big idea” going at this site. Yes, the “white elephant” was given to the village. And yes, the village has an agreement with the DuPage Foundation…but the village is still the owner and responsible for the building. And TIF funds are TAX DOLLARS….just as the Save The Treasure grants and other moneys they are seeking are all TAX DOLLARS. If it was a sensible project you would not need federal tax credits, TIF funding, and grant money to make it work…free enterprise would make it a success. The people working to save the theatre are down to the wire….and that hum we hear in the distance is not cheers of support from vilage residents but instead the bulldozers warming up to finally tear it down. For the real story visit www.dupagetheatre.com
Here’s some news that’s fit to be printed for all to know…..
Did you know that nearly 90% ($4,737,103.00) of the restoration of the the DuPage Theatre will be funded using tax dollars (whether it be TIF or tax credits..it’s still tax dollars). Less than 3% ($93,886.00) of the funds “raised” to date are private individual donations. And most of that private money is “pledged” and not “real money” in the bank.
Did you know that to date nearly $270,000.00* of money raised, both private and public, has been spent on the DuPage Theatre. Yet a “safety fence” has recently been installed around the building, on the recommendation of the Lombard building department, to protect the public from loose bricks, mortar, etc. and to avoid potential injury and lawsuits
*$125,000.00 Illinois First Grant, $79,369.20 Lombard Restoration Fund Hard & Soft Donations, $19,000.00 Friends of DuPage Theatre, Ltd Donation, $25,114.00 Individual Cash Donations to the Foundation and $20,086.90 in parking revenue. Source: DuPage Theatre Foundation, Inc. Pledge Report â€" August 31, 2004, DuPage Theatre Foundation, Inc. Treasurer’s Report â€" August 31, 2004
Did you know you can learn even more when you visit www.dupagetheatre.com for the real story and for more detailed information. You can also see comments from DuPage supporters, opponents, and most importantly the taxpayers and citizens of Lombard.