Preservationists will inevitably be riding high on news that church group, the Chicago Tabernacle, has withdrawn its application for purchasing and re-zoning the Portage Theater. There was considerable trepidation over the past few months as to the proper level of protection and reuse for the grand 1920 theater— with many doubting the stewardship of a fringe church group. The city's landmarks commission heard arguments in April for granting formal protections to the structure, and Preservation Chicago went so far as to include it and other theaters on their vaunted "Chicago Seven" most endangered list. Now, as an apparent product of closed door wrangling, the Tabernacle has a new site in mind in nearby Belmont Cragin: The Belpark Theater. According to Chicagoist, Portage Theater's management is wasting no time in celebrating— a spontaneous bash is kicking off this evening. [Chicagoist]
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