If you're trying to imply here that the Aldephi could have been renovated and reopened as a neighborhood movie theater, you are totally wrong.
The weird nostaligia for reviving old movie theaters is woefully cliche. The high ticket, parking, and concession prices, combined with rude patrons talking to each other and on their cellphones during the movie, make the option of staying home and watching a DVD rental much more preferable.
The renovation of the Morse Theater went very well, and your trying to tell me that the larger, more architecturally significant Adelphi Theater was out of the question?
This is, what we were attempting to accomplish just before the Adelphi was destroyed.
I'd rather go see a movie in a theater 95% of the time. I like that experience despite of some of the downsides (high concession prices, people talking, kids running up and down the aisles, etc.). Renting or buying a DVD is just not the same thing.
I used to go to the Adelphi, the Village North, the Nortown. It's a shame that people in this area have to trek up to Evanston or downtown or elsewhere to actually go to a movie theater.
I'm reminded of what Joe Moore said in an e-mail to me when I asked why he didn't do more to save the North Shore School building (it still hurts!).
He said, "I'm curious to know what argument you would offer for preserving a vacant building that no one wants and will only further decay. How does that enhance the beauty and quality of our lakefront?"
His mentality that it's better to destroy quality and build schlock (Gateway Mall anyone?) is how he operates. He has no class. I remember from one of the Adelphi condo plan meetings that he seemed absolutely tickled that a clock (think of it, a clock, just like Marshall Fields!) was part of the design. hahaha.
"Do you believe that an attempt to re-open the theater would be better than the dangerous unsecure hole in the ground that we have today?"
Bill: Yes I do.
Walking down Clark St. and on the sidestreets in that area can be more dangerous than that unsecure hole.
And if the theater were to reopen, there would be gang fights and purse snatchings among its patrons, much like at the recently closed Village North over on Sheridan.
Good riddance to the Adelphi---someone will eventually figure out a way to cover whatever "insecure hole" you say is there.
You're heart is in the right place. To save a place like the Adelphi you have to have willing investors. If you can't find willing investors or banks that will lend investors the money on a high risk proposition it will go the way of the buggy whip.
The Adelphi was probably a grand place in it's hey day. But if people are going to pop $9+ for a movie, they expect a parking lot nearby. I know, people need to walk more. Unfortunately, people don't. We live busy lives and walking while a good liesurely activity does not fit in some people's schedules.
If banks are going to invest, they have to be sure that the house will be filled with patrons a goodly percentage of the week.
You need a structure of tax benefits for developers (and tax payments by taxpayers like me) to save some of these grand old places.
Instead of crying over the demise of a relic that's now gone, get on the bean and start lobbying your friends, neighbors, family and anyone else to reach into their pockets for more taxes to pay so developers are offered the incentives to invest or quit complaining.
Lobby for more taxes for developers? That's your solution? Hmmm, the term capitalist pig comes to mind. Developers do not have the community's interest, only their own pockets.
13 comments:
If you're trying to imply here that the Aldephi could have been renovated and reopened as a neighborhood movie theater, you are totally wrong.
The weird nostaligia for reviving old movie theaters is woefully cliche. The high ticket, parking, and concession prices, combined with rude patrons talking to each other and on their cellphones during the movie, make the option of staying home and watching a DVD rental much more preferable.
We need another four years of Moore like we need a hole in the ground.
The renovation of the Morse Theater went very well, and your trying to tell me that the larger, more architecturally significant Adelphi Theater was out of the question?
This is, what we were attempting to accomplish just before the Adelphi was destroyed.
I'd rather go see a movie in a theater 95% of the time. I like that experience despite of some of the downsides (high concession prices, people talking, kids running up and down the aisles, etc.). Renting or buying a DVD is just not the same thing.
I used to go to the Adelphi, the Village North, the Nortown. It's a shame that people in this area have to trek up to Evanston or downtown or elsewhere to actually go to a movie theater.
I'm reminded of what Joe Moore said in an e-mail to me when I asked why he didn't do more to save the North Shore School building (it still hurts!).
He said, "I'm curious to know what argument you would offer for preserving a vacant building that no one wants and will only further decay. How does that enhance the
beauty and quality of our lakefront?"
His mentality that it's better to destroy quality and build schlock (Gateway Mall anyone?) is how he operates. He has no class. I remember from one of the Adelphi condo plan meetings that he seemed absolutely tickled that a clock (think of it, a clock, just like Marshall Fields!) was part of the design. hahaha.
So Bill Morton, are you saying that the Morse Theater is a "success?"
Not from what I read on this blog.
More like f-o-l-l-y.
billyjoe,
Are you saying that demolishing the Adelphi Theater to build a cookie-cutter condo was a success?
Do you believe that an attempt to re-open the theater would be better than the dangerous unsecure hole in the ground that we have today?
"Do you believe that an attempt to re-open the theater would be better than the dangerous unsecure hole in the ground that we have today?"
Bill: Yes I do.
Walking down Clark St. and on the sidestreets in that area can be more dangerous than that unsecure hole.
And if the theater were to reopen, there would be gang fights and purse snatchings among its patrons, much like at the recently closed Village North over on Sheridan.
Good riddance to the Adelphi---someone will eventually figure out a way to cover whatever "insecure hole" you say is there.
And, how many more years do you suppose it will take to do anything positive with this train-wreck?
And how long do you think it will take for someone to drop 20ft into the unsecure concrete hole?
There were no gang fights or purse snatchings while I was renovating the theater.
Another question ... Being an Evanstonian for 10+ years, Did you vote for Joe Moore?
Bill:
You're heart is in the right place. To save a place like the Adelphi you have to have willing investors. If you can't find willing investors or banks that will lend investors the money on a high risk proposition it will go the way of the buggy whip.
The Adelphi was probably a grand place in it's hey day. But if people are going to pop $9+ for a movie, they expect a parking lot nearby. I know, people need to walk more. Unfortunately, people don't. We live busy lives and walking while a good liesurely activity does not fit in some people's schedules.
If banks are going to invest, they have to be sure that the house will be filled with patrons a goodly percentage of the week.
You need a structure of tax benefits for developers (and tax payments by taxpayers like me) to save some of these grand old places.
Instead of crying over the demise of a relic that's now gone, get on the bean and start lobbying your friends, neighbors, family and anyone else to reach into their pockets for more taxes to pay so developers are offered the incentives to invest or quit complaining.
Lobby for more taxes for developers? That's your solution? Hmmm, the term capitalist pig comes to mind. Developers do not have the community's interest, only their own pockets.
Warren,
Parking was to be about one block away (Clark Mall). We were also working with The Washing Well across the street, for additional closer parking.
Plans for the Adelphi included much of what the Morse Theater renovation covered (point: not just movies).
Investors, contributors and volunteers in our community were ecstatic.
Alderman Joe Moore supporting a developer whom had a long string of previous foreclosures and unfinished projects was a cause of this problem.
The devoloper going into foreclosure AFTER demolishing the Adelphi Theater and leaving a big hole in the ground was also a cause of this problem.
Speaking of the Morse Theatre - what is going on with it? Was it purchased?
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