In The News
Wheaton: City to seek feedback on Grand Theater restoration
by Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, July 7, 2009
Wheaton will hold a public hearing this month to gauge support for a city role in the restoration of the downtown Wheaton Grand Theater.
Without comment, the city council voted unanimously Monday to hold a July 27 hearing to solicit input on a plan to create a special service area downtown. Should the city eventually create the special service area, property owners within its boundaries would see an increase of just below 1 percent in property taxes to help fund the renovation of the theatre.
The Wheaton Park District is considering issuing bonds to renew the 1925 theater on North Hale Street. The city has been asked to make available $250,000 in loan guarantees.
Council members got a likely mini-preview of the hearing Monday, with two residents saying the theater’Äôs financial plan didn’Äôt add up and another saying that a revived Grand Theater would stimulate the central city.
Derek Bromstead, who owns a downtown restaurant, told the council that Wheaton’Äôs founders spurred growth by convincing railroad officials to lay tracks through town.
’ÄúThe Wheaton Grand Theater is a modern-day railroad,’Äù Bromstead said. ’ÄúIt’Äôs something that will bring commerce and people to downtown.’Äù
But resident Ray Beran, who works in commercial lending, told the council that theater attendance numbers used in a feasibility study were overly optimistic.
’ÄúI believe it’Äôs necessary to have a Plan B in place,’Äù Beran said.