Build addition to Hemmens in Elgin, task force says

A task force that has been studying the Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin is recommending the city upgrade its features, fix up Civic Center Plaza and build a new, attached multipurpose event space.

An entirely new performing arts center isn't needed, said the task force, which issued a 42-page report about the 1969-era facility, deeming it structurally sound but “in serious need of updating and major upgrades to extend its useful life.”

The 13-member task force, comprising residents of various backgrounds, was appointed in April 2014. The report doesn't give estimated costs for the proposed work, an analysis that will be performed by city staff members in the next few months, City Manager Sean Stegall said.

The new space, attached to the southeast side of the Hemmens, would accommodate up to 450 patrons and include new restrooms, dressing rooms, a box office, an area for display of artwork and more, and a new loading dock, the report states.

Task force Chairwoman Clare Ollayos was not available for comment.

The report lists about 30 “long-term” renters of the Hemmens in the last four decades, including dance and theater groups, neighboring park districts and others. That addresses the misconception the Hemmens is all about the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, Councilwoman Rose Martinez said.

Building an addition would be a good idea, especially to add much-needed bathrooms, Martinez said. “It's not feasible how it is,” she said. “Times have changed.” She also said events at the Hemmens draw customers to local businesses.

What's next?

A 2013 study on the Hemmens done by architecture students at Judson University proposed building an addition along with an outdoor amphitheater, and estimated the cost at $8 million.

Mayor David Kaptain said the real cost of building an addition would be much higher — but the point is, the city council, with input from residents, should take a hard look at all the options and make decisions.

“This is the most important issue this council should be facing in the next two years,” he said. “It's been 15 years (since the first study on the Hemmens) — now it's not the time to kick the can down the road anymore.”

Kaptain said he'd like the task force study to be presented to the public at a special meeting at the Hemmens sometime in the next month. That could be followed by a meeting sometime in the future, once the financial analysis is complete, that would focus on the “what next?” question, he said.

Councilman Rich Dunne said the most important thing is to ensure the Hemmens is properly maintained. He's open to the notion of building an addition, but he also pointed out the city already partially funded the construction of a “Black Box” theater at Elgin Academy.

The Hemmens might be outdated compared to more modern performing arts centers, but it is in good working order, Stegall said. The building was repainted last year; this year's budget includes about $100,000 for a new sound system, he said.

The facility's equipment should be upgraded “as necessary” over the years, the report states. Specific items suggested in the report are a new dance floor, estimated at $5,000 to $10,000, and new stage lights estimated at $25,000, neither currently budgeted, senior management analyst Aaron Cosentino said.

The plaza

The Hemmens needs better exterior lighting, and the poor condition of pedestrian-only Civic Center Plaza is particularly concerning, especially after two people fell in March, the task force report states. The Elgin Symphony Orchestra, the Hemmens' foremost tenant, also has asked the city to address the issue.

But it makes no sense to repair Civic Center Plaza before deciding what kind of construction work — if any — might take place at the Hemmens, Kaptain said. “If we have to run heavy equipment, we don't want to destroy something that's relatively new,” he said.

The city could issue road bonds to fund the work at Civic Center Plaza, which would cost a minimum $1.5 million, but it's unclear how the pending state budget will affect its finances, Stegall said. “Hopefully we'll be in a position to do that next year.”

Meanwhile, the city plans to issue a request for proposals for the work, including examining how much pavement needs to be repaired and how much could be converted into green space, Stegall said.

Ensuring pedestrian safety at Civic Center Plaza is imperative, Dunne said.

“Once you've had someone fall and you're on notice, then we could be held liable,” he said. “Even though our corporation counsel thinks we have tort immunity on everything.”

Another consideration is whether the city should go back to programming events at the Hemmens, which the task force recommended based on its survey results, Kaptain said.

However, the rental-only policy decreased the Hemmens' operational deficit from an average $750,000 or so yearly to about $436,000 currently, city officials said.

The task force's analysis included a survey in English and Spanish with more than 700 responses showing that people highly value the Hemmens.