Chicago Symphony Orchestra might build summer home in Naperville

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is considering a privately owned site in Naperville as a location for a permanent outdoor concert venue.

But DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin says a lot has to happen before the proposal becomes a reality.

“It's not a done a deal. It's far from it,” Cronin said. “They have to think about exactly how much money it's going to cost, what's feasible, what's practical.”

During his State of the County address Monday, Cronin was asked by an audience member about what the county is doing to promote job growth. Part of his response was to mention the CSO's interest in building a venue in Naperville, where it could perform summer concerts.

“I, for one, am extremely enthusiastic about the opportunities that would bring — the quality of life, the cultural experiences in our county,” Cronin told the crowd at a Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon. “I am going to do everything I possibly can to help them realize that.”

If the CSO builds an outdoor concert venue in DuPage, Cronin said it would create jobs and trigger economic growth. “People would be attracted to live here, to locate here ... with that type of opportunity in the community,” he said.

On Monday afternoon, Kevin Giglinto, vice president for strategy and special initiatives at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association, issued a statement saying the association has been exploring “the idea of having a more regular and perhaps expanded presence in DuPage County.”

“However, this process of exploration is still very much in its early stages,” Giglinto said, “and while we have looked at a number of potential sites, there is still much work to be done in order to determine whether anything long-term is even feasible.”

At one point, the CSO's list of potential sites included parcels owned by the DuPage Forest Preserve District.

Forest preserve officials met with representatives from the CSO and Choose DuPage, the county's public-private economic development group. During those talks, the symphony expressed an interest in leasing land from the forest preserve for a concert venue and parking.

State law, however, prohibits the district from leasing or selling land to a private entity, officials said.

On Monday, Cronin said the CSO is looking at a private location. “There is a viable opportunity that does not involve forest preserve property,” he said.

The idea of bringing the symphony to DuPage has been boosted by a series of concerts it has performed at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle.

“They've always been interested in DuPage,” said county board member Paul Fichtner, who serves on a steering committee that was formed to find a suitable location for seasonal performances. “It (DuPage) can certainly support a large fine arts center anchored by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.”

Fichtner said the symphony is developing a plan to buy the parcel in Naperville and build the concert venue. Part of that plan involves fundraising.

While Cronin says he's committed to seeing the CSO locate in DuPage, it hasn't been determined how the county would help.

“I don't know if they're looking for me to help them raise money,” he said. “Is there a way to have taxpayers support that? Is there a grant? Could we partner with the state? I don't know. But everything is on the table.”

Founded in 1891, the CSO performs in downtown Chicago at Symphony Center along Michigan Avenue. It also conducts a regular summer season at Ravinia in Highland Park.

Representatives of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association have said that won't change if a DuPage location is found. They said expanding into the Western suburbs would supplement what they're already doing.