Cutting Hall in Palatine cleared to reopen

Asbestos abatement work in Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center has been completed and the building cleared for occupancy and usual operations based on air testing results, Palatine Park District officials announced Thursday.

A performance and a recital scheduled for last weekend at the theater, 150 E. Wood St., were canceled after an area backstage tested positive for a low level of asbestos, according to park officials. The 1928 building is the former location of Palatine High School.

The park district board learned last week that an inspector had recommended testing after discovering broken tiles in a 24-square-foot area in the backstage area and similarly sized area above the catwalk.