Despite some opposition, commission OKs plans for Egyptian Theatre to acquire portion of Palmer Court

DeKALB – The city’s Planning and Zoning Commission is recommending the Egyptian Theatre acquire of a portion of Palmer Court.

The plat of land at 135 N. Second St., less than half an acre behind the Egyptian Theatre and part of Palmer Court, will be used for a theater addition the Egyptian is planning. The project is part of a $4.5 million renovation project, partially funded through tax increment financing funds. The build-out on the theater's south side will better accommodate additional planned bathroom facilities, concessions, and provide more space on the building's roof to fit the large air-conditioning units.

Mary Wilson, co-owner of Hillside Restaurant, 121 N. Second St., along with downtown DeKalb resident Larry Berke, who owns Royal Travel & Tours, Inc., expressed strong opposition to the Egyptian acquiring the portion of Palmer Court, and said the overall project will negatively affect property values. The Hillside Restaurant was listed for sale as of December.

“I was all for the air conditioning and we gave our support,” Wilson said Wednesday. “But I recently became aware of the concept plans, and I have some concerns about the effect on my property value and quality of life for my restaurant and patrons.”

In December, the restaurant was included in the more than 30 letters of support submitted as a supplement to the theater’s TIF funding.

"As a co-owner of the Hillside Restaurant, my business has personally been impacted by the success of the Egyptian Theatre when it's open," wrote Gavin Wilson in December in support of the theater project. "Business is almost guaranteed, along with exposure and interest."

Berke, who lives with his wife at 122 N. First St., said he had doubts as to whether, with the new addition to a portion of Palmer Court, the alley will allow for proper fire truck access in an emergency.

“They haven’t been candid and honest with us from the beginning,” Berke said. “Somebody’s going to give them $2.5 million to devalue my property? The construction in that alley is going to take four to six months.”

Alex Nerad, executive director of the Egyptian, said the plan is for construction on Palmer Court to begin in June or July, and completed by December.

“The more successful the Egyptian can be, the more successful all the downtown restaurants are going to be,” Nerad said.

Dan Olson, the city’s principal planner, said the plans were approved by both the DeKalb fire and the DeKalb police departments.

The commission expressed sympathy for the construction headache the project could cause, but gave consensus that the final result of the project would positively affect downtown business.

Council will vote Monday to approve the conveyance of the land to the theater.