Lombard to take its time to study DuPage Theatre site options

The Lombard village board agreed to move forward with a marketing analysis Thursday in hopes of gaining more guidance on what to do with the vacant downtown property where the DuPage Theatre once stood.

During a workshop discussion, the village staff presented the board with background on the property at 101-109 S. Main St., along with a proposal from Tracy Cross & Associates to do a marketing analysis of the 2-acre site for $17,500.

The village acquired the property in 2000. Seven years later, as the real estate market began to crash, the 79-year-old theater was demolished, despite outcry from some residents. The land is now used as a parking lot for Metra commuters.

The trustees quickly came to a consensus that they would like to have the analysis done, to help them determine what realistic and tangible developments could occur on the property in the near future.

In the past year — as part of an outreach effort to gauge interest for the property from interested parties — village staffers met with four developer groups interested in constructing multifamily rental housing on the site. They also heard from about 20 “entities” that were pursuing redevelopment opportunities.

An analysis will confirm whether the staff's findings that there is increased interest are true, while also determining the best retail, commercial, office, residential and/or mixed-use residential development opportunities on the property.

Director of Community Development Bill Heniff noted that the village is losing out on potential business by waiting to do anything with the property until a market study is done. However, he said besides the “opportunity costs,” the village isn't putting out much money to maintain the property.

“Must it be done tomorrow? No, but it's something we should be talking about as the market improves,” he said.

Village Manager Scott Niehaus said the board could execute a contract for the analysis on Nov. 6. If the contract is approved then, Niehaus estimates the board could expect to be presented with findings early next year.

“We're obviously, unfortunately, not in any hurry because people haven't been champing at the bit for this property, but since it's been so long, I don't think we have to rush it, either,” Trustee Reid Foltyniewicz said.

He and others pointed out that whatever is built on the property will likely stand there for the next 50 to 100 years, and since the village is in control as the owner, it makes sense to carefully consider what the development should be.

“I think the market analysis is important,” said Trustee Laura Fitzpatrick. “It has outrageous potential to be a wonderful thing in our community, so I think we find out exactly what the market will bear and what concepts we come up with. And we do have a responsibility to the community, as the owners, to do it prudently.”

Property: Contract for analysis could be executed in early November