Is Debby Boone the best Naperville can do?

Mike, was right on this week. I can't believe how far I have to drive for concerts. I think there is plenty of places for a big venue in Naperville...just outside of downtown.

Save for a trip to downtown Naperville and a heft cab fair, there’s still not a whole lot things to do in Naperville during the winter. If you’re willing to spend the money on a fancy night out, or at the bars, then so be it.

But for music, comedy, you’re going to have to travel. It’s ridiculous.

My impression of Naperville is small. It’s probably going to stay that way because of the old codgers who are afraid of change.

I think we don’t need anything more added to this town. Have you seen the traffic? Have yuou tried to drive anywhere lately?

Please, give me a break.

Naperville is already too congested on Washington from Ogden south to Hillside and along the Route 59 corridor. Any new entertainment venues that will draw more than a few hundred people need to be located along the Diehl Road corridor. Have you been to the 4th of July fireworks and then tried to get out of there? The same will occur at any large concert venue but unfortunately it will occur everytime there is a concert not just once a year. The city doesn't have the infrastructure in place to funnel that many extra people in and out of central Naperville. Diehl Road has direct access to I-88, Naper Blvd., Winfield Road, Route 59 and Eola Road. These major arteries could intake/disperse concert goers easily. The added benefit is that most of Diehl Road is comprised of business offices that are closed at the times most concerts would be held. This decrease in traffic would allow an even better traffic flow for concert goers. There is some thought that concert goers would utilize the train to get here. I'm sure some would. But let's be honest. We live in the suburbs and suburbanites like their cars. Ninety percent of concert attendees will drive and that just lends itself to more congestion for the residents. Nobody from Chicago is going to take the train to Naperville for a night on the town. They already have more entertainment options than they can attend in a lifetime. The majority of people who utilize the train for transportation will be going INTO Chicago for it's myriad of entertainment options.

MITCHELL RESPONDS: I like that people are suggesting actual areas now. This is the idea. Let's not forget the southern portion of Naperville, of course. There is plenty of room for a large venue and I-55 is nearby. However, congestion issues will loom.

The reason we are given accolades is for being a suburb with a very high quality-of-life. Most ranking systems will not include how many 'big name acts' come to a city as part of their criteria. That's the point of a suburb. Why would A-listers want to come here instead of Chicago? Many acts now simply set up shop in NY, and then go on a tour of major US cities. I don't think we're of those yet?

MITCHELL RESPONDS: Look at Joliet, Aurora and College of DuPage: these areas all bring in A-list talent. Naperville would offer two highways and space away from the city. If celebrities are deciding to make a stop in Chicago, then why not nearby Naperville? Twice the revenue for the area.

I don't the issue is people coming here for entertainment from Chicago. I think the issue is having something to do for the people who are already here besides bars and restaurants.

Gosh, thanks so much for bringing up the topic of Naperville and its lack of an entertainment district. I totally agree with the points you made. In addition, I wanted to refer you to a niche developed on the southwest side of Chicago that is a great venue for rock bands etc. Please stop by 115 Bourbon Street if you haven’t already, its located at: 3359 W 115th Street, Merrionette Park, IL 60803. 115 Bourbon Street is awesome, born and raised a south-sider, and now in Naperville for 20 years - - Naperville NEEDS such a place – the closest thing that resembles 115 Bourbon Street might be The Foundry by the Fox Valley, (Aurora) and it has no room for rock bands or staging. For bands, kids have to go to the Metro in Chicago.

115 Bourbon Street is housed in a former Handy Andy Home Improvement Store. Its amazing what can be done to house an entertainment center. Check out the web site and all that it offers: http://www.115bourbonstreet.com/ Remember Gina (Naperville) from American Idol, she has performed at 115 Bourbon Street too!

Hey let’s think about some of those empty big box stores around town with ample parking! They have uses beyond being “retail”. And while we are talking about it, can those great Naperville trolleys be used to shuttle people around from parking garages to various venues within Naperville?

Naperville has so much to offer. It just takes continued creative thinking to use what we have available…..

Again, thanks for brining up the topic!!!!

Mike

The important question is where would such a facility be logically placed?

Those of us who live by the downtown train station have been outraged by the underhanded efforts of a group called OMNIA PERFORMING ARTS. They have been attempting to subvert the public review process in this town by essentially back dooring the project by heavily and elaborately, lobbying the city council, and other leading civic and business groups, before they even come in for a concept plan discussion with the TED staff.

The plan envisions radically altering the built environment along 5thAve. from Washington to Columbia. Highlights include a 10 story 2700 seat theater where the Metra lot now is at 5th and Washington, a 14 story condo tower where the public works garage is currently, and two smaller performance spaces of 900 and 600 somewhere in the complex, along with smaller condos along 5th..

Too make matters worse they envision a $120 million TIF district to help pay for it and want the city to help finance, and ultimately own it. Congratulations! We residents can own our very own mega performing arts center. And be legally obligated to make up any revenue shortfalls!

In late November the city council directed staff to contact OMNIA representatives and request that they make the same elaborate 2 hour presentation to the residents of the area that has been presented to the city council and other influential groups.

As of today, Jan 18th. we are still waiting.

Regardless, I think the concept of a larger performing art center is a viable one as long as it is placed in a reasonable location. Readers here might not remember, but there was a discussion of something like this along Diehl Rd some years ago, and as that area is developing into more of a mixed use environment,it would be a logical location for such a venue.

I certainly would support a privately owned and funded performing arts center there or another appropriately situated location. Save me from spending 2 hrs there and back going downtown.

MITCHELL RESPONDS: That's the gist of my argument. Why should Chicago have all the fun? Aren't the arts an essential part of our city? It should be time to prove it. I think it's a realistic assertion to have a major venue put into the area.

Naperville comprises a creative bunch. We could come up with a co-funded arena--part private and part public like Chicago did with Chase and Millenium Park. Wouldn't Lucent or Office Max want to be a part of a major project like that?

Mike I couldn't agree with you more. My wife and I are always going downtown to see shows for ourselves and our children. I allow at least 1 1/2 hours, sometimes more, just to make sure we actually get there on time.

I do wonder about the Paramount and Rialto's profitability. Is there any public information available that indicates they pay their way?

As to the corporate sponsorship are you thinking as a naming rights kind of one time charge or an ongoing financial relationship? The latter might be preferable. BTW I think you can forget Lucent they have enough challenges of late. But THE MAX THEATER has a nice ring to it.

I just don't want to re-create the financial mess that Millennium park was. I forget the exact number but I think the total cost started out as $400 million and ended up at $800 million dollars. It would be interesting to see how much of that was picked up by corporate sponsors.

MITCHELL RESPONDS: Absolutely, I meant to put a disclaimer about the gorging that took place during the Millenium park construction. The main difference to keep in mind, Mayor Daley won't be in charge of a Naperville project. When you have lifelong friends in Chicago that are in the building, construction, disposal and trucking businesses, you better believe someone is going to get paid.

Naperville, I can say with confidence, won't be bullied by political graft or unions.

Anyone out there, know how we can initiate something like this?

That sucking sound you hear is me finally being pulled into commenting on one of these blogs. I've resisted the temptation for a long time. First, I think a performing arts center is fine but please be careful where you put it. As a life long Naperville Resident and a 20 year commuter to Chicago I've seen more traffic recently on both Diehl Road and 5th Avenue then I've ever seen on any street in Chicago. The South Side of Town sounds okay to me but lets hear from some of those residents first. Third, as someone that has worked around the consruction industry for 20 years you can't blame the construction cost of Millennium Park on unions or graft. Some of the major contractors weren't even local. What raised the cost is called "change orders". And its something that typically happens on municipal projects where someone is spending other people's money. It's not unique to Chicago. Fourth, I have no problem with the Water Street TIF since it is about infrastructure. But lets wait to see how this one works out before doing another one. There are a lot of pitfalls with TIF's and I would not like to rush into $120 MM worth. Fourth, and admittedly least, why pick on Debbie Boone? I have a very good friend that was raised in Naperville that has recoreded and produced everyone from Debbie Boone to the Rolling Stones. I met her at his stuido once and she was very nice and has a great voice. Recap: Performing Arts Center: yes, Traffic: no, Millennium Park: get real, TIF: lets wait and see on the first one, Debbie Boone: live and let live.

Time after time, it’s misunderstood that Naperville is a big city. It’s not, never will be. This growth thing that Mike mentions is overblown and is a little overplayed.

Someone, please mention what this would do to our taxes if we financed an arena. What would do to our traffic problems?

We’re already complaingin about the financing for the school districts. So a stadium is just out of the picture.

Naperville could easily support a financially viable theater and performing arts district. I think it belongs in or adjacent to the downtown area near the existing restaurants and night clubs. Looking for public funds is out of the question unless there's a clear financial payback for the taxpayers. No fuzzy math, but it is fair to consider the total funds (hotel tax, sales tax, etc) that would be generated from theater patrons within the City.

I hope someone or some group comes forward with a viable plan that would allow Naperville to reach its potential in terms of arts, theater and other lifestyle amenities.

I thought I should elaborate on some of my earlier comments before someone misconstrues anything. On the Millennium Park issue my point was not negative towards Naperville or Chicago. That investment is working for Chicago, and Naperville has shown fiscal restraint on many if not all projects. Did you realize that City Hall was originally supposed to have a copper dome over the council chamber? My conclusion here is that we need to stay watchful. As for traffic I'm not saying I know whether a performing arts center would bring too much traffic or not... but I sure think a 14 story condo might.

I have faced it long ago. IL is boring. Sorry, folks. When you have actually lived elsewhere, you realize that. All the great things to do are in Chicago, and for those in the burbs, that is both cost and time prohibitive, now made more so by greedy, warped politicians. So you live in the city, pay for your fun, or you move to the burbs & do what -- play cornhole????????? Aaaarrrrggh.....

The comment about traffic after the 4th of July fireworks was apt. Traffic is tied up in knots despite massive efforts to control it. And we want that 100 nights a year? The downtown road infrastructure is woefully inadequate for such a venture and always will be. Council does not have the guts to even prohibit parking during the day and at night on Washington, so what makes you think they would do something to deal with something massive like the Omnia downtown?

If the city wants to do something, do it where the infrastructure in place (or might be), such as along 355, Route 59, 53, or even 75th Street. But don't plunk down a traffic magnet to somewhere that already is at capacity.