Should Des Plaines create a Performing Arts Center in the old Des Plaines Theatre Building?

Yes. The goal of achieving the long sought-after rejuvenated downtown Des Plaines would most certainly be enhanced if the existing under-utilized Des Plaines Theatre was transformed into a Performing Arts Center.

Should we support the City of Des Plaines spending as much as $3 to $4 million to pay for such an undertaking?

Not from our normal operating tax revenue stream, especially with the most recent economy slow down. However, with a governmental body involved, special funding can be applied for. A bond issue can be structured to pay for itself, over time; the size of the TIF district could be increased; federal grants could be applied for; shared funding commitments could be sought from Theatre Companies and/or musical organizations interested in making the Des Plaines Center for Performing Arts their permanent home; private investments should be sought from nearby developers. This new Des Plaines Performing Arts Consortium, as a not-for-profit entity, could then seek contributions not only from local residents but from endowments from entities supporting the arts all over the country. Corporate sponsorship could be sought from local businesses.

Since the original McDonald's was built in Des Plaines, the McDonald's Corporation could gain from promoting a new, regional performing arts venue and give back to the community from which it originally came.

Would I, as an average citizen, be willing to make a financial donation?

Yes, but I could only afford a very small amount of money. Those who could afford to give more won't just do it unless they can see a well-organized group has been put together with a realistic plan to create an ongoing venue of diverse performances and events. This plan must also project a degree of self-sustainability; once established, the new Des Plaines Performing Arts Consortium must be able to sustain itself over the long run.

Would I be willing to volunteer my time to help make this idea a reality and a success?

Yes, I obviously would. Although the average citizen would not, there are many individuals within the City of Des Plaines who are committed to creating a vibrant downtown. Those people must step forward and give their time and effort to make this concept a reality.

Do I agree that a proposal like a downtown performing arts center is needed to help revitalize the City's central business district?

I say yes. One could argue that it is not essential if you are happy with the status quo. However, if you want to raise our town up to a higher degree of success, and bring in people from the surrounding communities who are willing to spend their money in downtown Des Plaines, it is essential. To have a successful downtown there must be a multitude of business, commercial, and social reasons to gather. With the library as a start, supporting restaurants, additional residential facilities integrated with new retail establishments, ample parking, a large anchor grocery store, and a highly active performing arts center with a diverse selection of entertainment and educational programs, then you have created a formula for a successful and commercially profitable downtown.

What other ideas do we have for the revitalization of Downtown Des Plaines?

We should be aware that the trend is your friend. The days of crowded regional shopping centers are beginning to diminish. Shoppers are seeking the familiar nearby venues of their own neighborhoods. The Nugent Weinkus Property is ripe for residential development. Properties between there and City Hall are in need of visual enhancement at the very least. Once a vibrant inner core of the Central Business District is re-established on either side of the tracks between River Road and Graceland, then we can work on enhancing retail and commercial venues south along both Lee Street and Graceland while also growing north to the intersection of Rand and River roads. If we plan the central core area properly, the linear development along these other streets emanating from our central business district will occur almost automatically.

With prospects of growing motel and hotel venues on the Des Plaines side of River and Mannheim roads, with proper publicity, we can draw more of the business traveler clientele to downtown Des Plaines by making sure the feeder streets of River/Mannheim/Lee streets are transposed into inviting funnels to our main attractions. Particularly if we offer the true "down-home" vibrant community environment people with true "heart" can offer.

I have a vision, and I have a plan that can make our beloved Des Plaines an even far better place to live. We can do this with patience and persistence, one puzzle piece at a time. Let's get together and work hard to make it a reality.