Academy Theatre

This place was definately where the new multi level parking structure is that served the Genesse when I was there.

I was a the Genesee Theatre a few years ago. I think the former site of the Academy Theatre ended up just becoming a multi level parking garage.
I don’t remember a steak house or anything else. Unless it was kitty corner from the Genesee, and not directly across the street from it.
I seem to remember taking pictures of the Genesee marquee from the 3rd level of that parking garage. This was maybe 2006 or so.
My full Genesee experience that night is on the Genesee CT page.

Here is part of a Chicago Tribune article from November 2004:

Having declared the fire-ravaged Fiesta Palace structurally unsound, Waukegan is demolishing the former theater, with plans to save a few historical artifacts, officials said. Preservationists had asked city officials to consider salvaging the building’s red brick facade, but the city moved quickly to clear the site after the fire Oct. 27.

The building at 202 N. Genesee St., across from the newly renovated Genesee Theatre, opened in 1916 as Academy Theatre. It was converted into Fiesta Palace, a dance hall, and had been closed for two years, officials said. The city bought the building for $850,000 last year with hopes of renovating it.

Margaret Martin, a board member of the Waukegan Historical Society, said she was disappointed the city didn’t work harder to save the building. “I understand the safety concerns created by a fire-damaged building, but I’m dismayed at the rush to demolish such an important part of Waukegan’s past and future,” Martin said.

Would it be possible for Support 2006 to change the format of its “Someone just responded to your comment” postings? Wouldn’t it be more helpful to include the theatre’s name instead of its number?
How many of us know, for example, that #4222 is the Academy Theatre? Also, I posted only once about the Academy, and that was nearly three years ago. I hardly think that someone is responding to my comment after all that time.

according to our records, this theatre was part of the balaban and katz chain as of October 1st, 1049. for a complete list of b and K theatres visit www.balabanandkatzfoundation.com

David balaban

The City of Waukegan has started demolishing the building after an insurance adjuster claimed it was structurally unsound. Apparently they plan on keeping some artifacts. I’m sure part of the big hurry was because the Genessee across the street opens in a month.

I guess the idea of cleaning up the street for the show really didn’t work out so well.

Here is a story from today’s Daily Herald about the fire that destroyed the Academy.

An article in today’s Chicago Tribune talking about delays in the restoration and reopening of the Genesee Theatre mentions that the plans for a Jimmy’s Charhouse to open in the former Fiesta Palace/Academy Theatre have been scrapped due to the uncertainty of a regular performance schedule at the Genesee across the street.

Bryan I think he is clicking on your member name and going to your member page where the Acadamy theatre in California is. If he would click on the word “this” in your post it would take him to the picture your talking about.

I click on your link all I could see was theaters in Chicago area
and some from the Ca. area maybe my computer isn’t down loading all the pics?

btk:
I went to your site and I could not see the the Academy in Waukegan
the only one I could see was the Academy in Ca.