Council Begins Discussing Highland Park Theatre

Less than two months after took office, one of the campaign’s hottest issues, the , was discussed before an overflowing crowd at the City Council’s Committee of the Whole meeting Monday. 

Though the theater issue was debated by Rotering and newly minted Councilmen Tony Blumberg, Paul Frank and David Naftzger during the campaign, it was veteran Councilmen and who spoke most passionately about the building's future Monday.

“The east side of downtown has to be anchored by art and entertainment. We do not want to give up on that goal,” Kirsch said.

Mandel, the council’s longest serving member, voted with Kirsch for the city to acquire the property two years ago. He wants to see both a reasonable short-term solution but ultimately a long-range plan. 

“It’s a little shabby, but I go there to see movies,” Mandel said, describing his desire to maintain the theater. “For minimum dollars we can get new seats and drapes."

After more than an hour of discussion involving council members and the public, the consensus of the city’s governing body was to hold further talks during its July 11 meeting. A special 3:30 p.m. starting time was set to accommodate interested residents. 

Not ready for proposals

Though some people were ready to seek Requests for Proposal, Rotering expressed the need for more discussion. She wants an environmental impact report and a detailed financial analysis done before going further. 

“Our goal today is to discuss and come up with a process,” Rotering said. “There will be no proposals today.” 

James Lynch, a theater advisory committee member and a 30-year Highland Park resident, said he had a theater owner ready to make a proposal. 

“He can have it ready in two weeks,” Lynch said. “It will be primarily movies, with some live entertainment components.” 

The idea of critics discussing movies with an audience and special readings were mentioned at possible uses for the theater. 

'Unsustainable'

Not everyone was so quick to jump on the bandwagon. Stephanie Kerch, who grew up in Highland Park, spoke affectionately of her memories but echoed concerns about the city operating a theater in need of renovations in the current economy. 

“I saw Risky Business there and saw the marquee in the movie,” Kerch said. “But I don’t want to pay for it anymore.” 

Thomas George, the owner of Highland Park’s , expressed a preference for upscale boutiques in the central business district rather than a theater. He is afraid of losing business to other communities and Northbrook Court shopping center. 

“We can be another Armitage or Halsted Street,” George said referring to the developing higher-end shopping areas near downtown Chicago. “Highland Park is a special place. I have a store in Winnetka and have to work three times as hard there.” 

Kirsch was quick to respond to George's mention of Northbrook Court potentially luring businesses away from Highland Park. He reminded people the city has been through it before. 

“Some people wanted to fight Northbrook Court,” Kirsch said about the shopping center’s development more than 30 years ago. “We made a decision to have quality here. Our decision proved correct.” 

City Manager Dave Limardi began the discussion by describing the efforts of the theater advisory committee. He explained the short-term goal of making a minimal investment while searching for a permanent plan. 

Everything from upgrading to first-run movies and selling alcoholic beverages to creating a development with no artistic presence were among the scenarios. 

Councilman Naftzger added a very sobering and businesslike analysis. 

“The status quo is unsustainable,” he said. “I want to see the return on investment in the short term and the long term.”