Politics & Government
Public Hearing Will Chart Theater’s Future
City Council sets Sept. 7 meeting date as it puts final touches on bid guidelines.
A meeting to gather public input on the future of the is scheduled on Sept. 7 before the City Council puts the final touches on a Request for Proposals (RFP) set for five days later.
announced the public hearing at Monday's Committee of the Whole meeting and said it aimed to allow maximum attendance after the Labor Day holiday.
Neither the time nor location of the Sept. 7 meeting has been determined. Blue indicated the information would be available by Aug. 15.
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Blue disclosed a timetable for a decision by Nov. 25 along with a 12-page draft RFP for council members to review at Monday’s meeting.
During debate over the RFP language, suggested wording that could put a stronger emphasis on maintaining the property as an arts venue. However, newer council members and Mayor Nancy Rotering argued for a broader reach.
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The discussion centered on draft language that said "reserving the existing building is desirable.” Mandel and Kirsch wanted stronger wording.
“I would have used 'preferred.' I want to encourage entertainment but [I would] be open to everything else,” Mandel said.
Rotering was concerned language that was too restrictive could discourage potential developers.
“We want to express interest but not direction,” she said. “We need to be open to a broad spectrum [of proposals].”
Kirsch explained he and Mandel wanted to encourage preservation of arts, entertainment and the historic nature of the theater as an eastern anchor of downtown Highland Park. He was less insistent on the language.
“Interest or desirable is appropriate. To me, preferable is best,” Kirsch said. “We want to be open to all proposals but if possible we want an entertainment company.”
Councilmen Tony Blumberg and David Naftzger wanted to do nothing to limit bidders. “Interest is what I would go with,” Naftzger said, countering the wishes of Kirsch and Mandel.
“We want a word like interest to get as many proposals as we possibly can,” Blumberg added.
The Council’s newest member, Daniel Kaufman, echoed the views of the Blumberg and Naftzger.
“We don’t want to close options,” Kaufman said. “There could be an opportunity we don’t see right now. We have to leave room.”
Mandel and Kirsch also made it clear the city’s zoning laws for height limits must apply. Neither wants to see a development exceed four stories.
“We should do nothing to undermine our zoning code,” City Manager Dave Limardi told the Council. “
The draft RFP leaves a potential bidder options to either purchase or lease the building, though the city’s preference is to sell it to recoup the $2.1 million investment that it made over two years ago. The proposal may also include the adjacent city owned parking lot.
The City Council will review the public comments at its Sept. 12 meeting and release the RFP on Sept. 22. Potential bidders will have the opportunity to tour the facility later in September. Proposals must be submitted by 4 p.m. Oct. 28.
Once the city receives plans, it will complete the initial review process by Nov. 4 and invite potential developers to present their ideas. The presentations will take place between Nov. 14 and 18.
