Former Aurora Mayor Weisner named to board that oversees Paramount, RiverEdge

Former Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner was appointed to the board that operates and maintains RiverEdge Park and the Paramount Theatre.

Weisner will serve a three-year term on the Aurora Civic Center Authority Board. He said he sees needs at the theater he can help with, including funding for a downtown project that involves creating a school for the performing arts.

The $35 million project, announced last fall, would include a restaurant and loft apartments for artists in the former Waubonsee Community College building adjacent to the theater.

The majority of the project is to be paid for by private investment that will be facilitated by a variety of federal tax credits.

Weisner said the fact that RiverEdge Park was named for him last November soon after he stepped down from his mayoral duties keeps him especially interested in its success.

"I love both facilities," Weisner said, referring to the Paramount Theatre and RiverEdge Park. "Both are unique and beautiful, and anything I can do to enhance their situation is what I'll be after."