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DuPage
Theatre
Lombard
Built 1928
After a
decade of community protests, alternative plans, and a lawsuit, the village
board voted in March 2007 to completely demolish this 1928 structure—despite
what advocates had perceived to be a final compromise for its redevelopment.
In its 4-2 vote, the board claimed it would be easier for a newly elected
village board in April to deal with “a clean slate.”. |
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The village-owned property was demolished on May 10, a week before a
newly-elected village board that favored the theater’s preservation took
office.
The Spanish Patio-style building, which is one of only two structures in
Lombard listed in the National Register of Historic Places, was one of
Illinois’ Ten Most Endangered Historic Places in 2000. Last June, following
a lawsuit by Landmarks Illinois and the Friends of DuPage Theater, the
village board approved a $40 million development plan that included
preservation of the theater’s façade and marquee, while permitting
demolition of the auditorium. “Yet, with this recent action and with no
logical motive, village trustees have pulled the rug out from under a
project that had been perceived as a win/win for everybody,” stated
Landmarks Illinois President David Bahlman.
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