Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson has expressed new interest in finding a path toward a renovation and re-opening of Chicago's legendary Uptown Theatre.
His comments came yesterday after touring the historic landmark theatre at 4618 N. Broadway, first opened as a moviehouse in 1925 and closed since 1981 except for special tours.
What a remarkable jewel we have here in the city of Chicago, said the mayor at the conclusion of his "Day In The Ward" events in the 46th Ward. "There's no space like this space anywhere in the country, or arguably the world."
But past attempt to restore the Uptown's grandeur have been hampered in part by the sheer size of the undertaking. The Uptown is an eight-story, 4,200-seat venue with a five-story atrium in the entryway. The current owner of the Uptown - JAM Productions' Jerry Mickelson - has suggested that restoration could cost more than $140 million.
The mayor said after talking with Mickelson and preservationists, he's committed to finding a way to reopen the Uptown, through discussions with elected leaders and people in Chicago's business and philanthropic communities.
"We're going to explore some options to see how we can support that effort," he said. "We're taking this seriously - it's why it was part of my stop here."