W. Dundee eyes using vacant building for cultural arts site

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West Dundee officials have set a Feb. 29 deadline for details for a proposal to turn the former Ace Hardware building at 118 S. First St. into a cultural arts center. | File~Sun-Times Media

Updated: October 29, 2011 12:42AM

WEST DUNDEE — With a long-term objective of revitalizing its downtown into a cosmopolitan destination point, the village is exploring a proposal that would turn a vacant building it owns into a 240-seat cultural arts theater.

Although the idea appealed to most trustees, opinions were mixed on the viability of the endeavor proposed for the former Ace Hardware building, at 118 S. First St.

The village board heard presentations Monday night from West Dundee Community Development Director Cathleen Tymoszenko, as well as Elgin architect Rick Browne, who first brought the concept to the board in May.

Concerns over the proposed theater’s draw of patrons, adequacy of parking, and whether the village would recoup its initial investment — which could be as much as $200,000 — were discussed.

With limited downtown parking, the village purchased the rundown Ace building in 2009 after the store closed that year, with the idea of demolishing it and expanding the adjacent parking lot, located behind the south side of Main Street.

Trustee Norm Osth said that transforming the structure into a theater would significantly change the downtown comprehensive plan for revitalization and expansion.

“We purchased the building to tear it down, and I think we should proceed with what we intended to do,” he said.

Browne — a former trustee of the Steel Beam Theatre in St. Charles who sits on the village’s Appearance Review Commission — said that if the village finished the building’s shell, including a new roof and electrical, his arts group would construct the interior and pay rent.

But how the theater’s budget would be structured, and if it would be nonprofit or a for-profit entity, remained undetermined.

Tymoszenko surveyed five suburban theaters — including the Hemmens in Elgin and the Raue in Crystal Lake — and found that they are all run, and budgeted for, a bit differently.

“Most are operated by a public entity or quasi-public entity … and most do not operate in the black,” she said. “The town is usually looking more at its ability to bring people into the community, as a stature of town pride in supporting the arts.”

In a sour economy, grants are scarce, and, at times, so are patrons, Tymoszenko learned. Most theaters surveyed had a public contribution at the start, yet none had large benefactors. Browne said he does not have any large contributors at this time.

While Browne estimates the area’s surrounding draw would include 25,000 residents, Trustee Tom Price said that agreeing to steep renovation costs before determining interest in a town of 7,500 residents is unwise.

Osth, not in favor of the theater, called an impromptu vote to demolish the building as originally planned, which failed 4-2. The board then approved a motion to spend up to $9,000 on a feasibility study for a performing arts center, to be conducted by Business Districts Inc. of Oak Park.

Village Manager Joe Cavallaro said the survey, to be completed within the next 60 days, should be revealing.

“We will make an educated determination if there’s a market and economic viability before committing,” he said.