Elmhurst Theater-Apartment Plan May Be Unveiled Next Month

ELMHURST, IL – An Elmhurst group proposing a performing arts center and a big apartment complex may outline the plan as soon as next month, a leader said last week.

Mark George, president of the Encore Center for Performing Arts, said more information may be released during the group's Nov. 14 gala in Oak Brook. He expects a rendering to be shown at the event.

Encore hopes to build a 550-seat theater and a 185-unit apartment building in the 100 block of West First Street. The structure could be four to six stories.

The project would mean the demolition of existing buildings on much of the block.

Previously, the group teamed up with Minneapolis-based Ryan Companies, which has built other buildings in Elmhurst, including the Vyne on Haven apartment complex.

The firm expressed concerns before withdrawing from the project earlier this year. Patch reported on some of Ryan's correspondence with the city.

Since the spring, Encore said it has been working with another developer, but the firm's name has not been released.

By year's end, the developer may provide a concept to the city, George said.

Teaming up with a developer, Encore says, makes the project economically possible. Without the partnership, the nonprofit group must raise $60 million, as opposed to about $25 million, according to the group.

Since last year, residents have spoken out against the project during City Council meetings. They object to the proliferation of tall downtown apartment buildings, as well as the traffic and related issues.

Encore held meetings with residents over the summer, along with tours of the proposed site.

City officials have expressed openness to helping the project with money from a special downtown tax district known as a TIF.