Opinions vary on what's next for shuttered Elgin Road House

The recent shuttering of the Road House and Main Event Elgin raises the question: what's next for this prominent downtown site?

"It's been dramatically altered," said Elgin City Manager Sean Stegall. "The question is what is the highest and best use for it?"

However, the definition of the "highest and best use" depends on who you ask.

Last fall when Elgin City Council members unanimously approved the city's only 4 a.m. liquor license for the Road House, a bar with live bands and mixed martial arts events once a month probably seemed like the highest use.

But as noise escaped from the building's barrel shaped roof and patrons disturbed the neighborhood, it became evident the Road House probably wasn't the best use, at least for folks in townhouses across the street.

Mike Origer, the landlord whose lease included 10 percent of Road House receipts, said he contributed $450,000 of the $850,000 in improvements made to the building at 200 Prairie St.

Origer says he's fielded inquiries from three groups expressing interest in the site and they are all aware of the noise issue.

The two most interested parties floated a concept of a sports pub and grill and another an entertainment hall for special events like comedy shows, weddings and bar mitzvahs.

Origer said he is supposed to receive a detailed plan from the sports bar group Monday. He said he will take a hard look at any new proposal and select an operator that is "more respectful" of the noise and crowd issues and "experienced and capable of managing the sound and people."

Origer said he's had a great relationship with the city and police department and hopes the building can be home to another successful business. He did acknowledge that some crowds, especially those for heavy metal shows, were rowdy at times.

"The building got more wear and tear since December than it did in the last five years," Origer said.

Origer said some of the improvements at the building, which is 17,000 square feet, include a mezzanine, a second kitchen, more restrooms, new HVAC and a premium sound system. He also said it needs additional sound proofing going forward.

"The space is too big. It has to be used for special events," he said. "I'm really sad, not just because we spent all this money on the place. I'm sad for Elgin, it's just disappointing. The music was loud. It didn't need to be that loud. I feel bad for those folks living there."

Several residents of the River Park Place townhouse development took the Elgin City Council to task last week for approving the Road House, which they say made their lives miserable for the last seven months.

Mayor Ed Schock made no apologies for granting the 4 a.m. liquor license, saying it was needed for a large entertainment venue. However, one lesson Schock said the city learned was to be more aware of noise escaping from older buildings.

"We're going to have to consider issues of sound leakage and things like that," Schock said.

The city council will consider a revamped sound ordinance at its July 28 meeting.

One key provision of the sound ordinance is a requirement that new businesses perform a noise impact study before the city OKs anything.

Tonya Hudson, executive director of the Downtown Neighborhood Association, said that at least will give the next business owner a figure on what type of sound dampening improvements must be done to the building.

She also pointed out that Prairie Rock Bar and Grill, which occupied the building for over 13 years before closing in February 2009, was a restaurant and the Road House and Main Event Elgin was an entertainment venue.

She still believes it has potential as an entertainment destination, but the council should be wary of granting a liquor license for that spot that goes beyond 2 a.m.

"The building itself is really a great place for an entertainment venue. What the Road House offered was definitely a great fit. It's a great place to see a live show," Hudson said.

Ed Mascari, the Road House owner, complained he didn't receive any financial support from the city to help offset his opening costs.

The Prairie Rock faired better in terms of financial support from the city. It got a $220,000 incentive to open in 1995 and, when the business was on the rocks in 2001, got a grant of $134,000 from the city to stay open.

Origer, former Prairie Rock owner, said all that has been repaid to the city.

Councilman John Prigge believes the next business at that site must be compatible with the neighbors.

"It bears mentioning that that building was built 90 years ago this year. It was a movie house for silent movies. It's not Allstate Arena, the United Center or a concert hall," Prigge said. "That was not the right building or location. That is a key location. We were excited with their on-paper potential and it didn't work."