Artspace

One of the best things happening in Downtown Elgin is the construction of the Artspace Elgin Lofts. It is a project that was supported by the City Council and seeded with cash, tax incentives, and a land swap with Elgin Community College (ECC). The purpose of the complex is to provide subsidized housing and business space for artists and arts-related commerce. There is nothing like this anywhere in the immediate area.

It was a bold move on the part of the City Council.  I can only see it as a shot in the arm to the area. It will change the face of the Center City area and inject new blood into Elgin. This has the potential to help redefine an ailing image and give the town a new purpose.


Never a huge fan of former Mayor Ed Schock, I do consider this was one pursuit that proved his worth. Two years ago, when this  idea was in its infancy, he said "We have a very strong arts community. Art and artists are usually on the leading edge of reviltalization." There is indeed a huge and and very active community of artists, film makers, and musicians in this town, all very enthusiastic about what they do, and largely ignored by the general population of this town. Hopefully, this place will solve some of that.

It will be partially housed in the old Sears Roebuck department store building at the corner of Spring and DuPage Streets.  After Sears closed, ECC remodeled it into a satellite campus.  It is now in the process of being renovated into the Artspace apartments, with a new addition at the other end of the block on Spring at Fulton Street, connected by a courtyard.

There was plenty of outrage by some citizens over this, lumped into the constant complaints that the city hands over too much money to developers.  In my opinion, these are the same people that have held the city back for years.  There is a market for this that I can see, and I think it was a wise investment on Elgin's part.

It will definitely be an asset, and businesses all over downtown will benefit.  Additionally, so will we, because we'll have a big injection of new blood for all of us hungry for this kind of thing.

To everyone complaining, get over it.  I am optimistic.  I want more art available, I want more music to hear, I want more film to see, and I want more easily accessible to me without having to travel out of town to do it.

More information: http://www.artspaceelgin.org/