Journal Reporter

In its 76th year, the Pickwick Theater has come to this:

* It is one of the most famous building landmarks in the Chicago area, and the single most prominent structure in the City of Park Ridge.

* It is an official historical landmark, through the efforts of hundreds of Park Ridgeans and others who value its 1920s art deco architecture and its attractive, unique interior furnishings.

* It is reportedly in need of extensive repair and renovation, according to some reportedly knowledgeable persons.

* Its owners say the theater business is booming and that the building is in "great" condition.

* It is the center of a growing controversy that involves the Vlahakis family that owns the property, the city, and the Pickwick Theatre Council.

A divided city council voted 9-5 Monday night (Apr. 5) to donate $10,000 in city funds to the council, but it is unclear if the funding will have any kind of positive impact on the theatre's preservation or future."

Complicating matters is that the city, which wants to inspect the theater to determine its physical condition and need for upgrades and repair, was advised by Attorney Everette Hill Monday night that it cannot legally enter the theatre property without the consent of owner Dino Vlahakis and his family.

A five-member Park Ridge Pickwick Theatre Property Committee was formed by aldermen Monday night to pursue the possibility of inspecting the theatre and possibly developing some cost estimates for renovation work. It includes Ald. Donald Crampton as chairman along with Ald. Mark Anderson and Mayor Michael S. MaRous. Plus Thomas Brady, a local architect who reportedly has historical preservation credentials, and Aurora Bella-Autriaco, a new member of the city's Appearance Commission, which deals with the architecture and appearance of all structures in the community.

Voting against the $10,000 donation Monday night were Ald. Howard Frimark, Andrea Bateman, Sue Beaumont, Larry Friel, and Rich DiPietro. Most of them said they did so not out of any criticism of the Theatre Council or lack of funds, but because of the "adversarial relationship" between the Theatre group and the owners.

Shedding some light on that relationship Tuesday for the Journal was Catherine Kenney, Pickwick Theatre Council president.

"Yes, we are adversaries," she said. "The owners regard the Pickwick as a piece of real estate. We regard it as a valuable historical landmark that needs a lot of repair and upgrade, and as a marvelous place for live theatre events.

"In 1999," she went on, "the owners promised us they would donate the theater to us as a tax credit. Since then, they have rescinded that, and they have found out that the theatre isn't worth as much as they thought it was."

"We would like not only to raise funds for the theater's preservation, but we would like to hold live events there, as we have in the past. But now that's not possible. We are now holding events at the public library, like we did last week with the Ernie Pyle celebration, to promote the theatre from other venues."

She said the owners have withdrawn from the council and its activities, and the council does not have access to the theatre itself for the purpose of planning activities.

"We just want to make sure the theatre is not torn down for redevelopment," Kenney said. "The city wants that also."

"A theatre offering discount prices on first-run movies, it is a dinosaur," Kenney said. "It needs to diversify. It needs to be upgraded and renovated."

Disputing this in a letter to Mayor MaRous on Mar. 30 were the Vlahakis and Loomos families, owners.

"The Pickwick building and Theatre are not for sale," they said. "We are currently running a very successful business and envision many successful years to come. Last year, over 200,000 people attended movies and special events here. In the 23 years we've owned and operated the theatre, the last three have been our best movie years ever (thanks to movies like 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding'').

They went on to say that the Pickwick building, which houses retail shops and offices surrounding its movie house, experiences one of the highest occupancy rates in the area. "As the Uptown redevelopment project progresses, the Pickwick Theatre will be a major anchor, as it has been for the last 75 years."

The letter adds that the families have put more than $500,000 into maintenance and repairs in recent years. "We feel a feasibility study of the building is an unnecessary expense for the taxpayers and the City of Park Ridge."

The city is especially interested in its future because of the Uptown redevelopment that is planned to take place across Prospect Avenue from the theatre beginning later this year.