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Nonprofit group wants to open arts center in Mundelein

A nonprofit group that wants to build a performing arts center near downtown Mundelein pitched the project to village leaders Monday night.

The Northern Lakes Arts Collective is pushing the plan, which calls for a 50,000-square-foot building that would contain a roughly 500-seat auditorium. It would be built on vacant, village-owned land just south of village hall on Plaza Circle.

The theater could be used for theatrical and dance performances as well as corporate gatherings, said Brandon Tole, an arts collective board member, during Monday's village board meeting. Space also would be available for artistic exhibitions and meetings.

Tole and architect Scott Hezner spoke about the project as slides of architectural renderings and possible layouts were displayed on the boardroom's large screens.

Hezner said the center could be a "game changer" for Mundelein, something that draws people to town.

"It is something special," he said.

An arts center first was proposed for the old village hall building at 440 E. Hawley St. in 2015, but attention eventually shifted to other possible locations.

The arts group, cofounded by Mundelein Trustee Kerston Russell, intends to fund the project with private donations and run it once the building is completed. The group already has been collecting money for the effort.

Construction could cost between $10 million and $14 million, Tole said. The group would like the village to donate the land for the center.

Mayor Steve Lentz voiced support of the project.

"I think it could be a great addition to the plaza," he said.

Trustee Ray Semple called the requested land donation a "great investment" for Mundelein.

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  A nonprofit group called the Northern Lake Arts Collective wants to open an arts center in Mundelein. Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com
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