Journal Editor
The new owner of the downtown Des Plaines Theater building has passed all city inspections and is free to pick up his city-issued business license which is required to operate the theater.
Dhitu Bhagwaker, the new owner of the property, said extensive interior work has been done to the building to bring it up to city code. Some of the repair work included replacing old light fixtures which weren't being used, covering electrical boxes, installing new exit signs, and cleaning.
Bhagwaker plans to soon open the theater to show Indian movies. He also plans to show American movies and has solicited the help of someone knowledgeable in how to secure those types of features.
Mt. Prospect National Bank, which had wanted to build a new banking facility where the theater stands at Miner and Lee streets, recently decided to back out of that project. They sold the property to Bhagwaker who had operated the theater business in the building before it was sold to the bank in June. Mt. Prospect National's plans have been shifted to where it is opening the new Des Plaines National Bank at 701 Lee St., the site of the former First National Bank of Des Plaines situated about two blocks south of the Miner-Lee corner.
In a press release issued late last week, the Des Plaines Theater Preservation Society quoted Bhagwaker as saying, "I did not buy the theater to just show Indian movies but to develop the theater into a community performing arts center with entertainment for everyone." Bhagwaker said Monday that he "is open" to the idea of working with the city and community into developing the property into an arts center. For now, he said, he plans to show movies in the building, and make it available for local groups to conduct meetings and stage musical and theatrical performances on a limited basis.
The preservation society and Bhagwaker met about 10 days ago to discuss working together on developing an arts center. They "hope to operate the theater as joint profit and not-for-profit independent organizations," according to the press release. "This will allow for grants and tax free contributions to help renovate the theater. As soon as the occupancy permit is granted for the theater it will reopen showing both American and Indian movies concurrently..."
Des Plaines Finance Director Jim Egeberg told the Journal Monday that he has been informed that city fire and building inspectors have approved the theater building for occupancy. With that, Egeberg's office can release the business license to Bhagwaker.
While news that the bank has sold the theater building was greeted with enthusiasm by members of the preservation society, some city officials saw it differently. Community Development Committee chairman Ald. Tom Becker (6th) last week raised a number of questions about the future use of the property. He said that if arts center supporters pursue their goal, questions of adequate parking along with the city's previous agreement to finance a feasibility study will have to be re-visited. Earlier this year, aldermen agreed to fund up to $60,000 to have a study conducted to see if an arts center is feasible for that spot.
"Anything the city can do to help the theater is grounds to move the arts center further along," said Dan Dix, director of Public Relations for the preservation group. "We have to show the city that this is a good thing to pursue. When it gets placed on the National Register of Historic Place, then we become eligible to get grant money." The preservation organization has applied for that designation. Dix said a decision should be made soon.
Added Dix, "Dhitu (Bhagwaker) wants to run it as a benefit to the community. I think he can see the advantages of working with the society and with the community."
In the meantime, said Dix, tentative plans have been scheduled to conduct a Buster Keaton Silent Movie event on Saturday, Dec. 13 in Park Ridge to raise funds for the preservation society. That event will be held at the Pickwick Theater. Money raised, aside from the cost of showing the movie, will go the society.