April 07--Demolition of the former Foxfield Theater on St. Charles' east side opens the property for redevelopment, but the owner has no such plans.
Gary McGrath, president of McGrath Automotive Group, said he plans to use the site to store cars from his dealership, McGrath Honda of St. Charles.
"We had kids breaking into it. Homeless people living there. And it was a tax burden," McGrath said. "When you have an abandoned property just sitting there, it becomes a magnet for that kind of activity and trouble."
McGrath bought the more than 30-year-old building, at 151 Fieldgate Drive, in August for $610,000 from Illinois State Bank, according to assessment records.
Rita Tungare, St. Charles director of community and economic development, said McGrath suggested demolishing the theater, which had been unoccupied for about a decade, after reviewing its condition. The building had a number of code violations and issues, and wasn't fit for redevelopment in its existing state, she said.
"I think it was time for it to come down," she said. "Given its condition, how long it's been unoccupied and the potential for redevelopment on that site, it's time."
St. Charles police confirmed the loitering problem, as they responded to a March 24 report of suspicious activity at the theater, said police spokeswoman Lisa Blackwell. Police found two people who were told to keep off the property.
Blackwell said there were two additional open door calls, and that McGrath had reported damage to vehicles he keeps on the site. Multiple sprinkler and pipe breaks also had caused damage, and inspectors found roof leaks, Tungare said.
"When a building's in that sort of condition, it tends to get demolished," she said. "This opens up opportunities for future development across the whole area."
meltagouri@tribune.com
