Portage Theatre
4050 N. Milwaukee Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60641
4050 N. Milwaukee Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60641
38 people
favorited this theater
Showing 176 - 200 of 219 comments
That you, Mr. Fortini: You are correct that the big corporations can earn tax credits, obtain financial incentives from the city because they are big and intent on spending big capital. Small developers like our company cannot compete especially in neighborhood markets. When we had the Portage we had a financial plan that worked: rent theatre space to four different tenants. We had agreements with three, the PPA license in process, an architect on hand, a small staff, etc. Then the city told us about the generator required to obtain a PPA license. The landlord didn’t want to pay so we sublet the place to a church. They started a remodel without a permit… shut down altogether. This is all included above but we did TRY to make the theatre functional while keeping some architectural elements. I think our plan could fly if someone with enough capital would join the project. We are happy to share those plans with any qualified firm or individual but as you can tell there are gadflys that try to undermine all our work. Still, we persevere. Mr. Fortini or others, please call us if you want to discuss the Portage. (630) 480-3345. Thank you.
Paul Warshauer,
I hope that this does not turn into another “he said/she said” a la the DuPage or the Wheaton Grand. I don’t know much about you and I’ve heard both good and bad things about you. But as you’ve said above, it can be nearly impossible to deal with City Hall here in Chicago. And yet, a bankrupt firm like General Cinemas received special incentives from the City to build the City North 14 (the City wanted the old Goldblatt’s Site demolished and replaced). The City North 14 was built in less than 6 months! (I do admit that I like the City North 14, though!).
I had the opportunity to walk down Milwaukee Avenue at 6 Corners for the first time in many years yesterday. I was on my way to the costume shop there and I could not believe how desolate and run-down the street is! Vacant storefront after vacant storefront. Even the big steakhouse was closed. Was I in Portage Park (a good neighborhood) or somewhere in the ghetto.
I’ve often said that I’m not “pro-preservation-at-any-cost.” I believe in preservation where it make sense and a redeveloped Portage theatre could greatly aid Milwaukee Avenue. And as you said above, at least you tried to preserve this place.
By the way, the marquee on the Portage now says “Go Sox.”
Wow, lookie: two really old articles posted here without more details…for what purpose?? What axe are you still trying to grind? Give it up and find a day job. You will notice that no one has done anything since we left. At least we tried, pal. Have you done anything??? For the record…again. The church group who was subletting from us did the repairs and construction and had the cease and desist order, not us. Get yoru facts straight.
Chicago Sun-Times
By David Roeder
Sun-Times Columnist
February 11, 2004
THEATER ROW: Things seem to be going from bad to worse for Paul Warshauer, who wants to reopen the old Portage Park Theatre, 4050 N. Milwaukee, with old movies and live children’s shows. The city has held up his license and he now says that to pay his bills he will sublease part of the space to a church that promises three services a day.
That has Ald. Patrick Levar (45th) and some people in the neighborhood fuming. Levar said a church needs to get a special-use zoning classification before it can open in the Six Corners commercial area. Besides, he said, people “don’t want a storefront church'‘ at that location. Levar said the city’s license objections deal with fire codes and access, issues that became more urgent after the E2 nightclub disaster. "My concern is public safety and he’s going to have to dot all the 'i’s and cross the ’t’s,’‘ Levar said. Some renovations Warshauer already has performed were without a permit, he said.
Meeting Minutes â€" April 12, 2004
Date of issuance: April 13, 2004
Portage Park Neighborhood Association â€" Public Meeting
Monday, April 12, 2004, 7:30 p.m.
I. Meeting Called to Order by Gerard Staniszewski, 2nd Neil Krus at 8 p.m.
II. President’s Opening Statement: Gerard Staniszewski made two announcements:
1. The next Clean & Green will be held Saturday, May 1. Those interested in participating should
meet at 4026 N. LaPorte (city parking lot), 8:30 a.m.
2. Paul Warshauer, who spoke at the last meeting, is still in the process of being evicted by the
Portage Park Theater owner. Another group is expressing interest in buying the theatre and wants
to make a presentation to the PPNA at the May meeting. Gerard urges everyone to attend the
meeting for their input. In answer to an attendee’s question, he says the group is NOT the
Universal Church.
Here’s how he is doing in the suburbs:
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Thank you Robert Bank! Finally. You understand how difficult it is to operate a theatre in Chicago. The Portage still has a good chance of being a success. I will gladly give all of our files to anyone who wants to take a chance. Call us, if you wish. (630) 480-3345.
And, just down the road, the Logan Theatre seems to be doing well, too. And that area is gentrifying.
Paul Warshauer how are you doing in the suburbs?
It’s tragic that the Portage sits idle and its terrible how the City stymied your every effort to re-open it.
Just a couple of miles east on another angled street (Lincoln), the Davis Theatre shows first run movies, the street is filled with stores, restaurants and coffee houses but on Milwaukee Avenue where the Portage sits shuttered the street looks like downtown Bagdad.
How can two similar neighborhoods in so many respects be so different?
Is anything happening with the theatre thse days?
Here is a 1953 photo of the then-bustling Six Corners, with the Portage’s vertical sign faintly visible in the background.
thats the picture I have referred too.
ahh ok.
The sign in question also carried M&R’s logo.
Vertical would have been a better way to describe it..I sent a picture to paul, Once this site can handle more pictures, Ill get the one I have of it posted. Do we know where it is?
I always assumed the circle was an abc sign, I don’t know the ownership history of the Portage, though.
At the moment the picture uploading is down. Paul I have sent you a picture.
in the picture above there is a circle between the marquees
the clock would have been there. Im going to see if I cant get a picture of the big letter sign posted.
?? There is no clock that I know of and I do not know what letter sign to which you refer. Sorry.
What are the big letter sign and clock that you refer to?
A well worded business plan would work. I can help. E-mail me or call our office. (630) 221-0667
Do you think a petition would work in any sort?
Elizabeth: Great questions. Alderman Levar was absolutely NO help to us with the Portage Park Theatre. He did not facilitate the departments of the city (health, building, fire, etc.) and would NOT sign off on a generator that is needed now for all PPAs (Public Places of Amusement.) By the way, there are great secret rooms and a magnificent old vaudeville proscenium hidden behind the movie screens. We could have opened it and been running movies now. It is sad. The Landlord is a nice guy but does not want to invest any money in the theatre. I would LOVE to come back and help after our success here at the Wheaton Grand Theatre.
Oh I wanted to ask if you knew of where the big letter sign was that came from the building? the clock? Is there a basement? Any secret rooms?
Ok laugh, Im curious thats all.
Know what? maybe the Patio would be a better choice for a movie theater they can keep their capacity low,more shows,play two a week for 3 days a piece and then Sunday play a First Run A for what the larger theaters charge..4-7$Limited tickets.
Hey…that’s why they gave us two blockbusters huh?……
Anyway, The portage has a larger capacity for a bigger venue.
Paul, Did you have any qualms with Levar?