30 years of defunctitude isn't enough to keep the Uptown Theater down. With the prospect of an Uptown Entertainment District with the theater as anchor, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has the neighborhood abuzz over long-sought renovations. The boarded up, humbled facade masks a majesty rarely equaled. As Mark Caro of the Tribune puts it, "The space is big enough for Chicago Bears scrimmages and elegant enough for a royal ball." New owners Jerry Michelson and Arny Granat have enlisted the council of Oakland-based developer Phil Tagami, who had success restoring Oakland's historic Fox Theater. And Aldermen Harry Osterman and James Cappleman are fully on board. The stars might indeed be aligned. [Trib]
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