Former Esquire Theatre to test vacant building ordinance – Dec. 6, 2014

Tim Landis
The State Journal-Register

The former ESQUIRE THEATRE in Springfield is the first big test of a city ordinance approved three years ago intended to force repair or demolition of vacant buildings. Under the ordinance, which took effect in October 2011, vacant buildings and homes had to be registered on a city boarded-up property list. Properties were limited to three years on the list, followed by a 60-day period for repair or demolition.

If the 60-day deadline were missed, the city could go to court for minimum fines of $750 a day and a demolition order. The three-year limit for the Esquire, now owned by AMC Theatres Inc., ran out Nov. 29, putting the 60-day deadline at Jan. 29. The building at MacArthur Boulevard and South Grand Avenue has been vacant since the theater closed in 2003.

“At the end of the 60-day period, the city would want to see substantial progress having been made on either renovation or demolition, and if neither of these had occurred, could file a case in court,” city building manager John Sadowski said. As of last week, AMC had not yet filed for permits. AMC is a division of Wanda Group, a global real estate and entertainment company based in Beijing. AMC acquired the Esquire through a buyout of local theaters from Kerasotes in 2010.

Sadowski said residential properties account for most of the six to eight other properties at the three-year deadline.

Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin, whose ward includes the Esquire, said he was not aware of any AMC plans for the property, which has remained on the market since the theater closed in 2003. With the 60-day period started, McMenamin said he planned to again contact AMC representatives. He said he also would discuss the upcoming deadline with city officials and the MacArthur Boulevard Association.

McMenamin said he planned to ask the city public works department for an update of properties nearing or past the three-year limit. There are approximately 275 buildings and homes on the vacant-property list.

Demolition cleanup has been completed at the former Central Illinois Public Service CO. ICEHOUSE, 918 E. Edwards St. and KNOX FLATS, 715 E. Cook St. In both cases, the city of Springfield went to court to force owner action. No word on the future of either site.

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