JOLIET (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - The box office remains closed at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, while the management awaits test results about potential asbestos contamination during an ongoing cleanup project.
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) had cited the theatre after inspectors discovered in July that a contractor had not sealed bags containing asbestos, potentially contaminating the air in the 98-year-old building.
Rialto attorney Jim Murphy told WBBM a bank and offices in the building are on separate HVAC systems, and the management is cautiously optimistic they'll be able to reopen for a show next month after submitting plans to the state.
"We can come up with a cleaning program that will be approved by the IEPA,and work can be done in such a manner that clearance testing is done before the [September] 18th and the Rialto will be able to open by the 18th," said Murphy.
However, he said they are not certain about two weddings planned for the space before then and are working to help them find alternate locations.
"We have been told that there's a chance cleanup could be done by that point and time, but we think that is too much of a risk to have not told the wedding parties in advance if this is going to happen," Murphy said.
He expects there to be an update on a plan to clean the space during Wednesday's meeting of the Will County authority that oversees the Rialto.
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