LOGAN SQUARE — Say goodbye to the old Congress Theater, because soon those frayed seats, cracked molding, flaky paint and general shabbiness will be gone, officials say.
On Saturday, a handful of people toured the theater to get a peek at what the theater's new manager hopes will be history.
The rehabilitation project of the 90-year-old theater will include renovations to the theater's lobby and auditorium, and will include improvements of the ground floor for commercial use. Several residential units could be turned into a small inn and affordable housing, said Ald. Joe Moreno (1st).
"This theater has been an icon for generations until it went south and we had to close it," Moreno said. "But the renovations are really going to bring [the theater] back to life."
Petrina Patty, 66, of Wicker Park, was one of the many who came out to take a peek before the Congress Theater goes under the knife.
"I'm amazed, it's in pretty good condition," Patty said.
Sophia Wetherell, 30, and Andrew Wetherell, 32, who are moving to Logan Square, said they were excited to hear about the renovations.
"It will bring new life to the theater after the many problems its had recently," Andrew said. "And hopefully the renovations bring with it better bathrooms."
Linnea Blomgren, 57, said she remembered going to the movies at the theater when she was a child. She said she was "overjoyed by the renovations."
"These changes will bring the theater back to what it used to be, and it will be a great benefit to the community and to the businesses," Blomgren said.
Michael Moyer, new manager of the theater, said the renovations will take about two years to complete.
"There is only one way to do it and it's the right way. It's a big project and we are taking it seriously."
The sale of the theater was announced earlier this month by owner Eddie Carranza, with New Congress LLC, led by developer Moyer, as its new manager. Moyer is a managing member at Palmet Ventures, known for its restoration of Downtown's Cadillac Palace Theater.
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