Downtown Elmhurst Buildings In 'Bad Shape,' Expected To Be Torn Down: Mayor

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst's mayor said last week he knew that some residents opposed a proposed downtown apartment building that would be built with the long-awaited performing arts center.

The Elmhurst Centre for the Performing Arts building is proposed for the northeast corner of First Street and Addison Avenue. To make it a reality, the center's board is working with a developer for an 185-unit apartment complex.

"It's a lot of controversy on social media," Mayor Scott Levin said in his State of the City address Thursday.

But the mayor said the pair of buildings that would be demolished there are in "very bad shape."

"Something's going to be there that's new, whether it's the ECPA or just another building," Levin said.

The local performing arts center board is working with Minneapolis-based Ryan Companies to construct the apartment complex and center.

Ryan is responsible for other projects in Elmhurst, including the 200-unit Vyne on Haven complex downtown, which opened nearly two years ago.

According to the center's board, a group of friends of the organization bought the existing buildings that were signed with the developer.

At previous city meetings, residents have criticized the center board's plan for an apartment building.