Preservation Chicago and the Friends of Uptown Theatre have sponsored the petition “Mayor Rahm Emanuel: Restore the Uptown!” Momentum is growing, but we need your help!
Please add YOUR name and spread the word. Please consider sharing the petition with your friends and family via email and social media.
At the time of publication, we had received over 10,289 signatures!
Our new goal is to reach 15,000 signatures and we need your help to make that happen.
Link to “Please Restore the UPTOWN THEATRE!” Petition”
Shuttered since 1981, the Uptown Theatre means so much to the people of Uptown and Chicago. Its restoration and reuse would bring jobs and have a positive economic impact on the Uptown neighborhood and all of Chicago.
It can be done. Across town in Logan Square, the 3,500 capacity Congress Theater, also a Designated Chicago Landmark, recently began an extensive $65 million renovation by developer Michael Moyer with “the goal to ensure the building lasts another 100 years” according to the architect Andy Tinucci. Sources tell Preservation Chicago that the restoration of the Uptown Theater is similar at an estimated $70 million.
“We’ve come very far in the 50 years since the demolition of the Garrick Theater and Chicago Stock Exchange building when your common citizen may not have been involved in architectural preservation,” said Ward Miller, Executive Director of Preservation Chicago. “But this is another example of a project that has so much good potential, in so many ways and something that could positively impact the entire Uptown Entertainment District.” (LaTrace, 8/22/17)
“At some point, these projects have to become someone’s priority,” said Andy Pierce from Friend of Uptown Theatre.
“The Uptown Theatre is one of our great landmarks and we’re looking for a solution.” (LaTrace, 8/22/17)
Your support for the restoration and reuse of the Chicago Landmark Uptown Theatre for entertainment and other special events will create jobs and help make the Uptown Square Entertainment District the vital destination it can and should be.
Additional Reading
Preservationists: The Uptown Theatre needs to become a priority, AJ LaTrace, Curbed Chicago, 8/22/17