To learn of the plans for what will possibly fill the spot where the Theater once stood, visit this site for the Nortown Terrace. As of today, the property sits fenced and vacant.

Demolition begins, week of August 1, 2007.

1946 photo courtesy of David Balaban, Balaban & Katz Historical Foundation.

Today I chatted with Eric of Urban Remains. He's the person who has the rights to the demo of the Nortown. By now it should be clear to everyone how I feel about the tear down of this building - I hate it on so many levels. But it's a done deal now, and it's not Eric's fault.

Eric is taking a very archaeological approach to the demolition. He's interested in the lives of the men who built the buildings and their construction techniques and is learning about this via items he's finding in the walls.

He has graciously agreed to put together a package of Nortown fragments and other odds and ends that have been discovered during the demolition for the the Rogers Park / West Ridge Historical Society.

With an advanced degree in molecular biology, he has an appreciation for education and is working on putting together seminars that will be held at Urban Remains. Stay tuned for more information on that.

I'll be looking forward to talking with Eric again to get his input for a story about the Nortown in the Preservation Chicago fall newsletter. He's a cool guy.

And now, to add insult to injury, we can buy back pieces of our own neighborhood history.

After years of neglect and decay, a permit for demolition of the Nortown Theater was issued on June 7. Driving by this morning, it appeared that work has already begun.

The developer's plans call for construction of a five story condo and commercial building in its place. Unlike the high quality brick masonry construction going up throughout the city, this project will be primarily painted cast-in-place concrete. Although the development will include parking for the condos (just under one space per unit), it will not provide any parking for the commercial space due to a generous manipulation of the zoning requirements by Alderman Stone.

Another sad day in the 50th Ward.