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Home » Preservation Alert » Bel-Air Drive-In to be demolished for a shopping center

Bel-Air Drive-In to be demolished for a shopping center

posted by Panther in the Den on January 1, 2007 at 4:52am

CICERO, IL — Plans are in motion to build a couple big box stores on the site of the former Bel-Air Drive-In.

Cicero trustees have approved plans for a Wal-Mart store and a Lowe’s Home Improvement store to be built near 31st Street and Cicero Avenue, at the site of a former drive-in movie theater, the Bel-Air, said a spokesman for the developer, Monroe Investment Partners of Chicago.

Prior to the Bel-Air drive-in, the property was used as a landfill and a quarry. The 217,000-square-foot Wal-Mart and the 150,000-square-foot Lowe’s stores are expected to open at the end of 2007 or in early 2008.

To read more on this story, go to the Sun Times.

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YOUR COMMENTS

 
Kind of a bummer I guess. I remember when this place was up and running. But it has been a pasture of urban decay for quite a while now, and the odds of it ever opening again are slim.

posted by Life's too short on Jan 1, 2007 at 2:58pm
My first drive-in experience! Saw PSYCHO, WRECK OF THE MARY DEARE, THE LAST VOYAGE....it was a big thing to have a kiddie playground (right below the screens) for us then.
posted by G. Feret on Jan 2, 2007 at 8:35am
I recall going to this drive-in when i was a child also i recall how people would bring folding chairs and sit on the bridge at 31st street and watch the movie.
posted by CHI74 on Jan 2, 2007 at 6:39pm
Wow...do you think that one day will be a historic Wal-Mart and Lowes?? I think not! maybe there will be many memories made there. Like a first Date..or make out session at Walmart. Good luck! HAHAHAHA
posted by Mrdjjames on Jan 3, 2007 at 4:36pm
Certainly the same was said of drive-ins when they began to supplant traditional movie theaters.
posted by mp775 on Jan 17, 2007 at 5:07am
All through November and December I fought with the city clerk of Cicero to get them to respond to my Freedom of Information request to determine the ownership of the land. My partners and I were going to explore the possibilities of resurecting the Bel Air. Cicero was helpful at first but now I know why the refused to assist me. Obviosly they want the tax base from the big box retailer. Another example of corporate interests trampling small business.
posted by MJE on Jan 23, 2007 at 10:38am
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