Elgin renews lease for Art Showcase

The city of Elgin will resume paying rent for the space occupied by the Elgin Art Showcase but can terminate its lease if fire safety mandates are not met by Jan. 31.

Elgin City Council members voted 8-1 to renew the lease for the space on the 8th floor of the Elgin Professional Building, 164 Division St. The Art Showcase provides performance space for arts, music and theater groups.

The city hadn't paid rent since January while waiting for the building owner to submit complete fire safety plans. The $42,350 per year lease is retroactive to January, and will increase to $43,620 in 2015 and $44,930 in 2016.

The building owners must install smoke detectors in all offices. Additionally, as per a study recently completed by B&F Construction Code Services, they also need to install new stair rails, a clear, level exit path from the rear door, and Braille signage on all floors for the visually impaired, Community Development Director Marc Mylott said.

Councilman Rich Dunne cast the only dissenting vote, pointing out the building hasn't been complied with city code since 2006. He proposed signing a one-year lease but that didn't gain any traction with fellow council members.

"Why would we sign a three-year lease when we can sign a one-year lease and take a look year to year to see what type of work has been done?" Dunne said.

Earlier this summer, members of the city's cultural arts commission discussed looking for alternate spaces for the Art Showcase, in case the fire safety deadline is not met.

Elgin senior management analyst Aaron Cosentino said city staff members "brainstormed about possible locations and even considered the lower level of the Hemmens Cultural Center, but some capital improvements would be needed to make that space work."

Councilwoman Tish Powell, the city's liaison to the cultural arts commission, said the city's arts community supports keeping the Art Showcase in the Professional Building.

"It's well utilized, it's very unique and it serves a lot of need in our cultural arts community," she said.