Get cracking now on Grand Theater

The debate over the fate of the Wheaton Grand Theatre is like a movie without a discernible ending. It goes on, and on, and on with plan, after plan, after plan being considered, and consultant after consultant being hired.

In the business world this is sometimes known as "paralysis by analysis." What troubles me most is with the bank that holds the mortgage on this property poised to take possession, the City of Wheaton faces the very real possibility of having a large, vacant building with few alternative uses (and no concrete plans for its redevelopment) in its downtown business district.

In short, the Grand could face the uneasy future of being the most popular pigeon roost in Wheaton. I am encouraged however by Wheaton City Councilman John Prendiville's "out of the box" thinking. I think his idea to negotiate a swap of city-owned land for the deed to the theater building with the bank has some merit. It has the potential advantage of costing the city of Wheaton nothing, while offering the long term ownership stability needed to attract or maintain an operator, and allow groups to raise funds for the theater's restoration.

Given the plethora of legal entity options available, and the multitude of legal entity structures that could be deployed to spread and share financial risk, the ownership of this facility does not need to translate into "theater at any cost" for the city. I also think the movie house and live performance use options are not mutually exclusive.

I encourage the Wheaton City Council, Wheaton Park District, Grand Theatre Corporation, and Classic Cinemas to fast track an agreement on the future use of this architectural and historic gem and begin renovation. The productive use of historic buildings is an important component of any city's commercial and cultural well being.

Bruce Fogerty

Wheaton