As long as they don’t let high tension power lines run through the Dupe property like the ugly raised ranches in Woodridge, we should be OK.
The Daily Herald reports talks between the park district and library boards could begin soon for a multi use development on the site. If the voters agree, that would be a development that makes sense and truly improves our village.
You are way off base. There was no cheering except from some drivers who honked and cheered as they passed and a large group of commuters as they came off the train just before 6pm.
There is no sense in debating the past anymore but the reconsideration was just that. There were no promises made that the RSC plan would be voted through if you agreed to support tearing down the auditorium. They could have NOT reconsidered at all and tore the WHOLE building down at that time. They did not need your permission. The village owned the property, not the Friends. In fact, those of us who fought the RSC plan were NOT happy with the reconsideration or the trustees who supported it. We believed then as we do now that the RSC plan was bad for our neighborhood and our village. We do NOT need more condos or a building of that size. A TIF funded blackbox theatre was not enough of a positive to take away from the numerous negatives that this plan was sure to bring.
As far as the cheering, my neighbors and I did not choose to behave in that fashion but those that did certainly had the right to. Many believed if not for the demolition, the next board would have agreed to any variances just to save the remaining structure. That would have been bad for Lombard. In addition, there were some there who didn’t have an opinion about the issue but were just sick and tired of no progress at the site and saw the demolition as an important first step to progress.
Perhaps if you had been there speaking with some of the 100-200 people who were there instead of taking your account from others you would realize that.
Time for all of us to move past this issue and enjoy our biggest event of the year this weekend.
Check out what happened to the last corporation who tried to renovate the Dupe with private dollars. It proves restoring this theatre was not fiscally responsible for the Village of Lombard.
It also proves we were lied to by the pro-theatre cause who claimed Big Idea simply underestimated the size building they would need for their growing company. NOT!
See below – from the website of the former president of Big idea (who has since declared bankruptcy)
I agree the talk should stay constructive but some good can come from it still. Who cares how it compares to Radio City Music Hall? I thought one old theatre is just as precious as the next?
I suggest that if it bothers you that much you don’t click on it anymore.
If people like Dude can’t control himself then the plug should be pulled. In the meantime stop letting it bother you and stop counting the hits compared to other boards, that is a waste of time and doesn’t help preservation.
I agree but one more thing about this library/theatre idea.
You guys are a little slow on the uptake. See my posts starting August 13 where I begged for this idea to be considered and was ripped apart by the same people who are now pushing for it.
Now that reality and desperation has set in you are all grasping at anything you can.
I do feel this would still be a great option BUT you must give up on a fully restored theatre unless a huge amount of private dollars can be raised FAST. The best you can hope for now is a partial restoration of the auditorium and lobby in conjunction with the new library.
Desperate times call for desperate measures – you better start talking to the library board and I mean NOW.
I don’t understand your muddled explanation. Do you support the two together on one site or are you just talking in circles again?
If you do, get to work and talk with the library board about adaptive re-use. I think you can kiss the idea of the structure being used as an arts center goodbye. It will cost way too much to restore and not enough private funding has been secured. Perhaps it’s not too late to save a portion of the structure for re-use whether it be a library or retail but the time to start working on it is now. The court date is looming.
Thanks for the link but I think your time would be better served trying to save your building. That is a pointless waste of time as the clock is ticking…
From the library website – a citizen’s survey was taken about library expansion. They were specifically asked about the possibility of moving the library to a location a few miles south of downtown (about as far as the Menards property).
Here was the response which should allow you to put this argument where it belongs – in the trash..
Of the citizen’s surveyed:
75% concurred the library should be downtown, at the current site if possible (whether in the existing building or a new building), or at least another downtown location. Only 6% would choose Southland Park as a first choice.
The traffic and pedestrian safety argument is BS. The library on the Dupe site would be able to be set back enough to allow safe drop off for kids, MUCH safer than how the library is situated right now which is right on top of busy Maple Street! That’s a theatre person’s excuse and it holds no water.
That proposal in 2000 was done with no changes made to the Dupe. If the library is going to work there, most of the building would have to go but parts of the theatre lobby and auditorium could be saved for re-use and as far as parking goes, that’s where a parking structure would be perfect for library and commuters.
Time to think outside the box – something you seem to be incapable of, before it’s too late.
BTW – you spelled Sky-Hi wrong, anyone who patronized it regularly like me remembers clearly the giant sign as you pulled in..
With a Lombard Village Board vote on planned demolition of the DuPage Theatre looming, members of the Helen Plum Memorial Library Board have expressed interest in the theater property for a new facility.
Five years ago, the Library Board rejected a village proposal to consider an adaptive reuse of the 77-year-old theater at Main Street and Parkside Avenue for library purposes. But the board recently voted 6-1 to send a letter to Village President William Mueller expressing interest in the theater property as a possible location for a new library.
This new letter, dated June 21, requested the library “be included in the planning meetings regarding the redevelopment of the downtown Lombard area including, but not limited to, the DuPage Theatre site.”
A follow-up letter of July 13 clarified the first to say the library would be specifically interested in the theater site “as a possible location for a new library” if it became available as one site among other possible downtown properties, library Executive Director Robert Harris said.
“People commonly come up to me and ask about the DuPage Theatre site, … and we’ve been thinking about it ever since it was given to the village” in May 2000, Harris said, adding the board was not interested before because it did not want to build a new library that would include the theater building. “If it were a flat piece of land, we’d consider that. My preference … would be I’d rather just have the land because it would be awkward to build a library around an existing structure.”
The letters have to date never been formally answered by the village.
The votes to send the letters were opposed by Library Board member Cindy Ward, who also is a member of the Friends of the DuPage Theatre. The Friends group is still interested in restoring the theater.
Plus, she said, the library has in the past formerly opposed moving downtown because it was not conducive to younger clientele. The library is at 110 W. Maple St., adjacent to Lilacia Park.
The letters, Harris said, were sent to the village “as a reminder, to refresh their memory” of the library’s interest in any downtown property large enough to accommodate a new library and parking twice as large as the existing 34,000-square-foot facility.
Mueller recently met with Library Board President Wayne Kankovsky. And although the village president indicated it is still too early to tell what could become of the talks, he said he would be willing to support the Library Board in meeting its needs. Kankovsky said he hopes his board can work in a cooperative manner with the village in planning for the future.
District 2 Village Trustee Richard Tross said any discussion about the library and the theater land is premature, but District 5 Village Trustee Kenneth Florey called the library’s decision ill-fated for political reasons.
“I’m a big supporter of the library renovation/expansion, but I’ve never thought the theater site would work for them because of political ramifications,” he said. “I am disappointed but not surprised (by the letters). I think it’s going to hurt the library toward getting a referendum passed because they’re definitely going to lose support. The timing of this is horrible because it looks like a cause and effect, like the library caused the theater to come down. This is political suicide, in my opinion, for any future referendum.”
The library’s renewed interest was embraced by District 4 Trustee Steven Sebby, who led the 4-2 Village Board vote to demolish the theater June 2.
“There is no question the library would be a good fit for the property,” he said. “The library can be a focal point to the downtown. The property was originally donated to the village as a gift, and I can’t think of any better use.”
I can’t believe that you, a self proclaimed expert on the history of Lombard, doesn’t remember the adult book store/porn shop that used to occupy the corner of the old Menards lot!!! It was there for years and thank God the village finally forced them out a few years back.
My point is that if you think the library is going to go out on North Ave, you’re dreaming! It’s staying DOWNTOWN where it belongs and yes if they can save part of the theatre and incorporate it in, fine but you people better start talking to the library board and get the wheels in motion.
Go build your new arts center on the old Menards/porn store site out on 53! The library is staying DOWNTOWN where it belongs and the ideal spot is the current site of the Dupe. You should be trying to find ways to combine part of the old theatre and the new library instead of bashing trustees night and day…the clock is ticking.
I got news for you – the new DuPage Theatre plan included more of the “monolithic” condos you refer to, and your info on the towns you mention is inaccurate as well. Geneva no longer has it’s old theatre, it was gutted an turned into retail and St. Charles theatre is in limbo due to lack of profits.
Your comment about Lombard being a “craphole” only further proves your ignorance. It may not be as nice as Glen Ellyn, but at least it’s not as bad as Woodridge – talk about a craphole!
Incidentally it’s “politicians” NOT “polititions”. It’s a good thing you lost that election Jim, since you can’t spell it, you should definitely not have become one.
I agree with hdtv267 – pull the plug on the whole Dupe board. It only serves as a platform for Mr. Devitt (duper supporter, dupagedude, restoration rita, etc.) to continue to inflame and antagonize the residents who opposed the now defunct development plan.
There has been contact between both sides off this board regarding setting up a time to have a constructive dialog so that perhaps a solution can be found before demolition. This message board no longer serves any positive purpose. It’s pointless. I too have e-mailed the moderator.
I just sent a quick e-mail to my longtime friend who is a Detective on the Lombard force to find out if any such inquiries were made. Did you tell them you live in Woodridge when you stopped by? I suspect, as usual, you are a liar and fraud.
An incident did occur on Charlotte Street but was not reported because no damage occured. Some idiot, who has no life, threw a few purple flyers in a neighbors yard late at night. Can you imagine? Someone who is so pathetic that he has nothing better to do with his time than that? What a loser! The joke’s on him though because it was windy that night and all the flyers blew into the only neighborhood yard that had a theatre sign. You can’t imagine the laughs we all shared over that blunder! Buffoon!
I can still taste the Top Dog hot dogs…the best. It was always packed when my friends and I would go there during lunch break from Lincoln School and Sweet Granny’s – YUM. When you saw that bucket on the counter instead of Mom hovering over the stove, you knew it was going to be a great night!
The only business I can remember in the Hobby Lobby building was Handy Andy.
Answer the question – WHERE DOES THE $$ COME FROM?
Private donations? No! TIF dollars are not an endless supply of free money from benefactors who support art. It is TAX INCREMENT FINANCING and it is to be used in an fiscally appropriate manner to promote development of tax generating districts. It is NOT meant to be the primary source of funds to restore a dilapidated theatre whose future as a profitable venue is bleak at best! Some TIF for a new theatre development, maybe. 70-80% – NO!! Raise your own stinkin money or go away. BTW- just because something is not on your tax bill does NOT mean it is not tax dollars, quit trying to snow people.
I love how NOW you and your alter egos are supposedly writing letters to corporate America for help. Where was this push for private dollars in the last 5 years? You never bothered because you expected and DEMANDED this project be paid for with our TIF dollars! Guess again.
Have your crumb cake and Coke , take your lithium and turn in early. Your game is over.
Get real duper – where do you think TIF $$ comes from? The magic TIF Fairy?
Quit talking to yourself on this message board and go write some more fictious letters to your big corporate sponsors. Still waiting to see the Sara Lee and Coca Cola trucks come pouring into Lombard to save the day. I’m sure their donation will come in the form of 1000 crumb cakes and 100 cases of Cokes. That’s good because those demolition guys get hungry and thirsty while they are hard at work.
You really need to stop going to plays and join reality.
As usual – my sides ache from your delirious multiple personality posts, Jim! Keep it up….it’s comic relief.
(you can open 2 browsers at once or use a lap top with a router at the same time to achieve the kind of duplicity that he is attempting. Wake up people! Look at the atrocious spelling and grammar mistakes!)
Without mentioning anything that has occured in the past. Please state what you are currently doing to save the DuPage Theatre and how you think others can help.
Devitt alert- 4 major spelling errors on dude’s last post, 2 in duper's
He’s trying to play good cop/bad cop with his alter egos.
Still calling himself preservationist Jim Devitt (even though he claims not to know the man!)
Jim Devitt aka Restoration Rita,
As long as they don’t let high tension power lines run through the Dupe property like the ugly raised ranches in Woodridge, we should be OK.
The Daily Herald reports talks between the park district and library boards could begin soon for a multi use development on the site. If the voters agree, that would be a development that makes sense and truly improves our village.
Ms. Dynako –
You are way off base. There was no cheering except from some drivers who honked and cheered as they passed and a large group of commuters as they came off the train just before 6pm.
There is no sense in debating the past anymore but the reconsideration was just that. There were no promises made that the RSC plan would be voted through if you agreed to support tearing down the auditorium. They could have NOT reconsidered at all and tore the WHOLE building down at that time. They did not need your permission. The village owned the property, not the Friends. In fact, those of us who fought the RSC plan were NOT happy with the reconsideration or the trustees who supported it. We believed then as we do now that the RSC plan was bad for our neighborhood and our village. We do NOT need more condos or a building of that size. A TIF funded blackbox theatre was not enough of a positive to take away from the numerous negatives that this plan was sure to bring.
As far as the cheering, my neighbors and I did not choose to behave in that fashion but those that did certainly had the right to. Many believed if not for the demolition, the next board would have agreed to any variances just to save the remaining structure. That would have been bad for Lombard. In addition, there were some there who didn’t have an opinion about the issue but were just sick and tired of no progress at the site and saw the demolition as an important first step to progress.
Perhaps if you had been there speaking with some of the 100-200 people who were there instead of taking your account from others you would realize that.
Time for all of us to move past this issue and enjoy our biggest event of the year this weekend.
Check out what happened to the last corporation who tried to renovate the Dupe with private dollars. It proves restoring this theatre was not fiscally responsible for the Village of Lombard.
It also proves we were lied to by the pro-theatre cause who claimed Big Idea simply underestimated the size building they would need for their growing company. NOT!
See below – from the website of the former president of Big idea (who has since declared bankruptcy)
View link
Oh please – get me a violin and a hankie.
hdtv267-
What do you think should be on this board?
I agree the talk should stay constructive but some good can come from it still. Who cares how it compares to Radio City Music Hall? I thought one old theatre is just as precious as the next?
I suggest that if it bothers you that much you don’t click on it anymore.
If people like Dude can’t control himself then the plug should be pulled. In the meantime stop letting it bother you and stop counting the hits compared to other boards, that is a waste of time and doesn’t help preservation.
I agree but one more thing about this library/theatre idea.
You guys are a little slow on the uptake. See my posts starting August 13 where I begged for this idea to be considered and was ripped apart by the same people who are now pushing for it.
Now that reality and desperation has set in you are all grasping at anything you can.
I do feel this would still be a great option BUT you must give up on a fully restored theatre unless a huge amount of private dollars can be raised FAST. The best you can hope for now is a partial restoration of the auditorium and lobby in conjunction with the new library.
Desperate times call for desperate measures – you better start talking to the library board and I mean NOW.
I don’t understand your muddled explanation. Do you support the two together on one site or are you just talking in circles again?
If you do, get to work and talk with the library board about adaptive re-use. I think you can kiss the idea of the structure being used as an arts center goodbye. It will cost way too much to restore and not enough private funding has been secured. Perhaps it’s not too late to save a portion of the structure for re-use whether it be a library or retail but the time to start working on it is now. The court date is looming.
Thanks for the link but I think your time would be better served trying to save your building. That is a pointless waste of time as the clock is ticking…
From the library website – a citizen’s survey was taken about library expansion. They were specifically asked about the possibility of moving the library to a location a few miles south of downtown (about as far as the Menards property).
Here was the response which should allow you to put this argument where it belongs – in the trash..
Of the citizen’s surveyed:
75% concurred the library should be downtown, at the current site if possible (whether in the existing building or a new building), or at least another downtown location. Only 6% would choose Southland Park as a first choice.
The traffic and pedestrian safety argument is BS. The library on the Dupe site would be able to be set back enough to allow safe drop off for kids, MUCH safer than how the library is situated right now which is right on top of busy Maple Street! That’s a theatre person’s excuse and it holds no water.
That proposal in 2000 was done with no changes made to the Dupe. If the library is going to work there, most of the building would have to go but parts of the theatre lobby and auditorium could be saved for re-use and as far as parking goes, that’s where a parking structure would be perfect for library and commuters.
Time to think outside the box – something you seem to be incapable of, before it’s too late.
BTW – you spelled Sky-Hi wrong, anyone who patronized it regularly like me remembers clearly the giant sign as you pulled in..
Dude – What are you smokin?
You can tell you don’t live in Lombard…
See attached article from local newspaper:
Library’s interests could seal theater’s fate
By James Pluta
Staff writer
Published: 8/10/05
With a Lombard Village Board vote on planned demolition of the DuPage Theatre looming, members of the Helen Plum Memorial Library Board have expressed interest in the theater property for a new facility.
Five years ago, the Library Board rejected a village proposal to consider an adaptive reuse of the 77-year-old theater at Main Street and Parkside Avenue for library purposes. But the board recently voted 6-1 to send a letter to Village President William Mueller expressing interest in the theater property as a possible location for a new library.
This new letter, dated June 21, requested the library “be included in the planning meetings regarding the redevelopment of the downtown Lombard area including, but not limited to, the DuPage Theatre site.”
A follow-up letter of July 13 clarified the first to say the library would be specifically interested in the theater site “as a possible location for a new library” if it became available as one site among other possible downtown properties, library Executive Director Robert Harris said.
“People commonly come up to me and ask about the DuPage Theatre site, … and we’ve been thinking about it ever since it was given to the village” in May 2000, Harris said, adding the board was not interested before because it did not want to build a new library that would include the theater building. “If it were a flat piece of land, we’d consider that. My preference … would be I’d rather just have the land because it would be awkward to build a library around an existing structure.”
The letters have to date never been formally answered by the village.
The votes to send the letters were opposed by Library Board member Cindy Ward, who also is a member of the Friends of the DuPage Theatre. The Friends group is still interested in restoring the theater.
Plus, she said, the library has in the past formerly opposed moving downtown because it was not conducive to younger clientele. The library is at 110 W. Maple St., adjacent to Lilacia Park.
The letters, Harris said, were sent to the village “as a reminder, to refresh their memory” of the library’s interest in any downtown property large enough to accommodate a new library and parking twice as large as the existing 34,000-square-foot facility.
Mueller recently met with Library Board President Wayne Kankovsky. And although the village president indicated it is still too early to tell what could become of the talks, he said he would be willing to support the Library Board in meeting its needs. Kankovsky said he hopes his board can work in a cooperative manner with the village in planning for the future.
District 2 Village Trustee Richard Tross said any discussion about the library and the theater land is premature, but District 5 Village Trustee Kenneth Florey called the library’s decision ill-fated for political reasons.
“I’m a big supporter of the library renovation/expansion, but I’ve never thought the theater site would work for them because of political ramifications,” he said. “I am disappointed but not surprised (by the letters). I think it’s going to hurt the library toward getting a referendum passed because they’re definitely going to lose support. The timing of this is horrible because it looks like a cause and effect, like the library caused the theater to come down. This is political suicide, in my opinion, for any future referendum.”
The library’s renewed interest was embraced by District 4 Trustee Steven Sebby, who led the 4-2 Village Board vote to demolish the theater June 2.
“There is no question the library would be a good fit for the property,” he said. “The library can be a focal point to the downtown. The property was originally donated to the village as a gift, and I can’t think of any better use.”
Duper-
I can’t believe that you, a self proclaimed expert on the history of Lombard, doesn’t remember the adult book store/porn shop that used to occupy the corner of the old Menards lot!!! It was there for years and thank God the village finally forced them out a few years back.
My point is that if you think the library is going to go out on North Ave, you’re dreaming! It’s staying DOWNTOWN where it belongs and yes if they can save part of the theatre and incorporate it in, fine but you people better start talking to the library board and get the wheels in motion.
BTW Duper Jim –
Go build your new arts center on the old Menards/porn store site out on 53! The library is staying DOWNTOWN where it belongs and the ideal spot is the current site of the Dupe. You should be trying to find ways to combine part of the old theatre and the new library instead of bashing trustees night and day…the clock is ticking.
Unconcerned Exlombardian-
I got news for you – the new DuPage Theatre plan included more of the “monolithic” condos you refer to, and your info on the towns you mention is inaccurate as well. Geneva no longer has it’s old theatre, it was gutted an turned into retail and St. Charles theatre is in limbo due to lack of profits.
Your comment about Lombard being a “craphole” only further proves your ignorance. It may not be as nice as Glen Ellyn, but at least it’s not as bad as Woodridge – talk about a craphole!
Incidentally it’s “politicians” NOT “polititions”. It’s a good thing you lost that election Jim, since you can’t spell it, you should definitely not have become one.
Even worse Jim – you are harassing an 80 YEAR OLD woman!!!
Moderators I hope you are reading this – this sick man has become unhinged and who knows what maniacal ravings will come out of his mouth next?
Just read those nonsensical posts – does he sound like someone who is looking for preservation?
If you’re smart you’ll pull the plug on this board and this lunatic.
If that isn’t proof that it is time to strike this board, I don’t know what is?
Now he’s defaming a 70 year old woman who has lived in Lombard for decades and has never posted on this board.
There’s going to be another lawsuit soon if he is not stopped. He’s mentally unbalanced and doesn’t know when to shut his mouth.
I agree with hdtv267 – pull the plug on the whole Dupe board. It only serves as a platform for Mr. Devitt (duper supporter, dupagedude, restoration rita, etc.) to continue to inflame and antagonize the residents who opposed the now defunct development plan.
There has been contact between both sides off this board regarding setting up a time to have a constructive dialog so that perhaps a solution can be found before demolition. This message board no longer serves any positive purpose. It’s pointless. I too have e-mailed the moderator.
Have a nice dinner at Praga with…YOURSELF!
You forgot that lithium again buddy, try better next time.
Whatever college it was should lose it’s accreditation since this man has worse spelling than my 1st grader.
Investigative work, HA – you can’t spell it, let alone do it!
I just sent a quick e-mail to my longtime friend who is a Detective on the Lombard force to find out if any such inquiries were made. Did you tell them you live in Woodridge when you stopped by? I suspect, as usual, you are a liar and fraud.
An incident did occur on Charlotte Street but was not reported because no damage occured. Some idiot, who has no life, threw a few purple flyers in a neighbors yard late at night. Can you imagine? Someone who is so pathetic that he has nothing better to do with his time than that? What a loser! The joke’s on him though because it was windy that night and all the flyers blew into the only neighborhood yard that had a theatre sign. You can’t imagine the laughs we all shared over that blunder! Buffoon!
I can still taste the Top Dog hot dogs…the best. It was always packed when my friends and I would go there during lunch break from Lincoln School and Sweet Granny’s – YUM. When you saw that bucket on the counter instead of Mom hovering over the stove, you knew it was going to be a great night!
The only business I can remember in the Hobby Lobby building was Handy Andy.
DuperDude-
Answer the question – WHERE DOES THE $$ COME FROM?
Private donations? No! TIF dollars are not an endless supply of free money from benefactors who support art. It is TAX INCREMENT FINANCING and it is to be used in an fiscally appropriate manner to promote development of tax generating districts. It is NOT meant to be the primary source of funds to restore a dilapidated theatre whose future as a profitable venue is bleak at best! Some TIF for a new theatre development, maybe. 70-80% – NO!! Raise your own stinkin money or go away. BTW- just because something is not on your tax bill does NOT mean it is not tax dollars, quit trying to snow people.
I love how NOW you and your alter egos are supposedly writing letters to corporate America for help. Where was this push for private dollars in the last 5 years? You never bothered because you expected and DEMANDED this project be paid for with our TIF dollars! Guess again.
Have your crumb cake and Coke , take your lithium and turn in early. Your game is over.
Get real duper – where do you think TIF $$ comes from? The magic TIF Fairy?
Quit talking to yourself on this message board and go write some more fictious letters to your big corporate sponsors. Still waiting to see the Sara Lee and Coca Cola trucks come pouring into Lombard to save the day. I’m sure their donation will come in the form of 1000 crumb cakes and 100 cases of Cokes. That’s good because those demolition guys get hungry and thirsty while they are hard at work.
You really need to stop going to plays and join reality.
As usual – my sides ache from your delirious multiple personality posts, Jim! Keep it up….it’s comic relief.
(you can open 2 browsers at once or use a lap top with a router at the same time to achieve the kind of duplicity that he is attempting. Wake up people! Look at the atrocious spelling and grammar mistakes!)
DuPage Dude-
Without mentioning anything that has occured in the past. Please state what you are currently doing to save the DuPage Theatre and how you think others can help.
Look at the times of those posts! LOL
Goodnight Sybill…
Roses are red, violets are blue, I’m a schizophrenic and so am I.
Devitt alert- 4 major spelling errors on dude’s last post, 2 in duper's
He’s trying to play good cop/bad cop with his alter egos.
Still calling himself preservationist Jim Devitt (even though he claims not to know the man!)
LOL – it gets better and better.
Kumbaya my lord, kumbaya!