“After years of planning and raising funds, work to restore the historic Uptown Theater could finally begin in a few months. The last remaining funding needed for an overhaul of the long-dormant movie palace will likely be in place by late spring, Ald. James Cappleman (46th) said in an email to residents. Work on the building could begin shortly after that, the alderman said.
“The work would represent one of the biggest steps taken thus far to renovate and re-open the Uptown Theater, 4816 N. Broadway, which has been closed since 1981 and has seen many fits and starts to its rehabilitation.
“In 2018, city officials unveiled a $75 million plan to renovate the theater. The project is to receive about $40 million in public financing, including $13 million in TIF funds and $14 million through a state clean energy fund, Block Club previously reported. At the time, officials said construction on the theater would start in summer 2019, but that timeline came and went as theater owners sought additional funds.
“Theater co-owners Jerry Mickelson and Scott Goodman still needed to come up with $40 million, Mickelson told the public in April 2019. By November, the co-owners needed to raise $26 million, the Chicago Tribune reported. Mickelson and Goodman founded a non-profit, called the Uptown Theater Foundation, that would oversee the theater’s operation and be able to receive grants and donations for its revival. Mickelson, the JAM Productions co-founder, and Goodman, a developer, bought the theater in 2008.
“On Friday, Cappleman said funding will likely be in place by late spring. Construction is expected to begin shortly afterwards, the alderman said.” (Ward, Block Club Chicago, 1/27/2020)