Process starts for getting Portage Theater reopened, but patience required

by BRIAN NADIG

The early steps of getting the Portage Theater, 4050 N. Milwaukee Ave., renovated and reopened have begun, but patience will be required as its new ownership sorts through a variety of issues.

“We just started with architects coming through,” said new Portage owner Chris Bauman, who has operated several entertainment venues, including the Patio Theater, 6008 W. Irving Park Road, which currently is closed for renovations.

Bauman said that a “solid plan” is being formulated so that the refurbishment of the Portage will be done correctly.

“We are looking to set the theater up for the next 100 years,” Bauman said.

A formal announcement on the creation of a nonprofit foundation for the Portage, which opened in 1920, could come as soon as March, Bauman said. The theater, which is a designated city landmark, has been shuttered since 2018.

A Dec. 11 building court hearing shed some light on the hurdles which Bauman and his team are working to clear as soon as possible.

In 2024, the city of Chicago filed a lawsuit against the former ownership of the Portage Theater, alleging building code issues. They include concerns about the condition of the theater’s marquee, as the city demanded a canopy be installed under the marquee as a safety precaution.

A court-appointed receivership for the property has been making payments to keep the canopy in place, but the new ownership was expected to take over the payments starting Jan. 1.

In addition, the city has requested that structural engineering reports on the marque and on the building’s east facade be submitted by the next court date of Thursday, Feb. 19.

If the reports are submitted, the receivership would be discharged from the case. The role of the receivership, which was in charge of securing the building, has been temporarily stopped, and keys to the theater were officially turned over from the receivership to Bauman in mid-December.

Getting full access to the theater allows for regular maintenance and better overall security, according to project officials.
“Apparently there may be some leaky pipes, and we want to be able to stabilize the interior of the building as well and also clean things out as necessary,” theater attorney Kevin Sterling said at the Dec. 11 court hearing.

Sterling added, “As soon as I get a water certificate, we’re going to close on the financing and get all the taxes paid and take care of the other liens and start moving toward stabilizing the building and turn it into something again.”

The amount of back property taxes owed the county reportedly is about $503,000, and another reading of the water meter reportedly may be required before the water bill can be paid.

Bauman was able to recently acquire the theater for $25,000 due to issues such as the back taxes and the city’s lawsuit against the property.

In 2024 Landmarks Illinois listed the Portage Theater on its list of 10-most endangered historic structures. The theater’s capacity has varied over the years but was around 1,300 when it was last in operation.

As a landmark, grants and other assistance could be available to help renovate the theater.

New business licenses, including public place of amusement, will be required before the theater can reopen.

This is just part of today’s coverage. Get the full story - every article, every ad, every page. Subscribe now.

The Latest From Our Community