DuPage Theater

If the library is built on this site, will they attempt to save at least the facade?

Melders- For a lot of residents it’s more than the height, there are other code variances that will be detrimental to neighbors but also the financing is a huge issue, more than the TIF dollars. Instead of renovating the theater for a fixed price, their plan says if restoration goes over budget by more than 12%, we the taxpayers will have to cover it. To a lot of folks that’s unacceptable, TIF is one thing but we don’t want to be left opened to overruns as well. It’s a bad plan – the building is giant and will encroah on neighbors, the financing is very shaky. The village board’s job is to protect it’s residents and that’s exactly what they’re doing. If there was a better way to develop this property, it would have surfaced in 6 years of waiting. The only way to cover massive restoration costs is to attach a massive structure as they had planned to. There are so many other problems, I could go on and on. Will these “luxury” condos sell? If you knew Lombard you’d know many of our new condos are empty and 2 new buildings are in construction in close proximity. Phase 2 of their restoration of the theatre relies on their new condos being sold. What if they don’t? Will the proposed use of the theatre as a cultural arts venue be booked regularly? I did some research on neighboring towns with these types of arts centers and they often sit empty for a month or 2 at a time. The way this plan is drawn up, that too will end up being a burden to the village. There are a lot of risks for our residents, the question is how much is too much? You must look at the bigger picture and what is best for our entire town. I’ve always felt that any use of this property should also be on a referendum for voters to decide. The preservation group never initiated that and did fight an effort to put a theatre issue on a ballot years ago. They claim they didn’t like the way it was worded, my answer is why, since then , have they not initiated another one? Even this plan? Then the majority could decide? I think the only answer must be that they don’t feel they have the votes. Now it’s too late because it won’t be on a ballot until a year from November and that will be too late for this particular plan.

Finally, you mentioned we may get a “big box store” or something similar. That is a scare tactic often used by the theatre supporters in our town. My answer is this. The board has proven they are not going to put anything too big for the parcel there. Also – we are desperately in need of a new library in our town. There is a group of residents who will lobby for that site to be used as such, perhaps with some retail attached. Now the library itself will not be a tax generating entity but the costs of construction will go down millions because we already own the land. Also – unlike the theatre, it will definitely go to a referendum and the people will decide. The library tried years ago to devise a way in which they could renovate the theatre and incorporate it into their new library – unfortunately, the theatre costs too many millions to restore, not feasible. The theatre group will say that the voters already voted down a multi million dollar renovation of our current library why would they support this? Well the library polled voters after their referendum failed. Most answered they didn’t like the fact that millions would have to be spent on a temporary facilty while renovation took place. That would be alleviated by building a new library at a different site.

It comes down to this – if supporters think this plan will be so beneficial to Lombard why didn’t they put it on a ballot? I think even naysayers like me would have been happy just knowing that it was the majority of residents that made the decision, not just preservation group and their developer. Fair enough?

Incidentally Mr. Fields – you should definitely speak to those who are NOT in favor of preserving the theater unless it can be with mostly private funds and within village building codes. I’ll be in touch. As far as gaining access to the building for your documentary, I wouldn’t count on it. The structure is in pretty bad shape. The preservation group’s own developer said it needed to be “stabilized”. The village even needed to remove a whole row of public parking spaces in the adjacent lot because of falling bricks and debris. I’m not sure they would let you in due to liability issues but you can try. It’s a shame that the previous owner neglected it for so many years and let it get that bad.

I would like to add one more comment. I do not live in Lombard, and I do not blame the city for not wanting to spend that much money. I just do not see the need to rush into tearing down the theater.

Yes Dave I must agree with you. Here I go trying to add some words of wisdom and he goes off trying to threaten me. Well I am not scared of an old abandoned car. It seems to me that Fiscal must have some sort of investment riding on the destruction of this theater. I just hope that someone with some sense has read my words, since fiscal is obviously insane.

I’ve come to realize that “fiscal insanity” is ONE BIG JERK…..he has GOT to have a financial/investment connection to that part of town to be so enthused in tearing it down for another strip mall in the boring burbs. How much $$$ he has on spec is known only to him and his cohorts who delight in demolishing key structures of our past. I’d like to know just how he knows that it’s not structurally sound. Is he (or she) an expert? A building inspector? He sounds like a bully and an interloper who I wonder WHY wants to be heard on a website that encourages saving/rstoring/and adaptive reuse of historic buildings all over the USA? This “person” won’t even use their real name. A SAD and anonymous AND frightened bully at that
too. Maybe a live debate would smoke him/her out of hiding?

Here is a more positive article from the Daily Herald:

View link

Thank You melders for your wise words. Everybody should just STOP and THINK about this whole issue calmly and with an unbiased mind.
An investment for the future and a respect for its' past says it right.Once it’s gone it’s gone. Another part of Lombard’s past that could have been saved!

Fiscal Insanity you are on to something. How about keeping the theatre AND add your library concept? On the lot to the south build a three level parking garage/library with retail on the first floor. Perhaps build a a few “market rate” townhomes on top of the parking garage. No tax dollars spent, city sells property to developer, “as is,” get library grants…more? Call (630) 480-3345.

Here’s a brilliant idea. Have a little vision. Why does everyone insist on rehashing what Lombard WAS? Wow, I really long for the Hammerschmitt silos. Let’s bring ‘em back because they were so UNIQUE to the Western Suburbs.

Try this on for size – if it’s really about “culture”, let’s compromise:

Tear down the library, tear down the Dupe. Build a centerpiece, outdoor classical theatre on the site of the current library, where there will be no conflict with Lilacia. Make deals with local theatre troupes – and maybe even Drury Lane – to produce Shakespeare in the Park, classical Greek and Roman tragedies and comedies, and have classical music concerts. Free during the day to expose children to the arts, paid at night to draw lovers of the arts. Obviously there would be no winter peformances, but spring, summer, and fall would be operable.

Next step, build a new library with subterranean parking on the site of the Dupe. Add retail, condos, on the next door lot to generate tax revenue on prime property.

Everyone wins. If our civic leaders used a little imagination, everyone’s wants and desires could be satisfied.

HELLO???? A B.O.R.I.N.G SUBURBAN DOWNTOWN DEAD AFTER 6PM VERSUS KICKING IN A FEW BUCKS PER CITIZEN THAT WILL LAST A GENERATION (and more) FOR RESTORING A LANDMARK??? YOU NUMBSKULLS!!!!
I guess the other aspect is all of you staying home watching TV/Cable, playing video games till you ROT…getting FAT, NO CULTURE…..THANK GOD I LIVE IN CHICAGO WITH ALL THE CULTURAL AMENITIES….YOU have a chance to create one, and you BLOW IT….GUESS you need a Chuckie Cheese more than a venue for the ARTS…..PHILISTINES…..

Sorry, I didn’t realize. I propose a referendum would document the will of the people and provide the proof of support that appears to be lacking in this restoration effort.