Elmhurst Performing Arts Center Plan May Get City Help

Elmhurst IL

01 March, 2021

10:30 AM

Description

ELMHURST, IL — A group of Elmhurst aldermen wants to work with the advocates of a proposed performing arts center in downtown and is even suggesting the possibility of direct financial assistance from the city. On Monday, the City Council is expected to decide whether to refer the matter to a council committee for establishing a framework to coordinate with the Elmhurst Centre for Performing Arts, a nonprofit group. To date, the group has completed a feasibility study and controls a site in downtown, 109 to 119 W. First St., where it plans the center, according to a city memo. The next phase includes design, construction planning and a fundraising campaign, the memo said. The center is expected to include a 550-seat main theater, a separate "black box" theater of 130 seats, rehearsal and classroom space, ground floor retail and a rooftop gathering space. "As the retail landscape changes, vibrant suburban downtown areas are relying more on providing entertainment and creating unique experiences to attract patrons and visitors," the memo said. "Elected officials have recognized that a performing arts center would not only enrich the lives of our residents, but it would also contribute economically to our downtown as theater patrons will shop in our stores and eat in our restaurants." The memo said the city could provide direct financial assistance and more fully developed plans for the "donut hole area" next to the proposed center site. Signing the memo were aldermen Scott Levin, Marti Deuter, Bob Dunn and Dannee Polomsky.