Construction of a new state-of-the-art soundstage/bandshell in downtown East Dundee could start this fall.
Village Board trustees, who discussed the project at this week’s meeting, are close to finalizing a design for the first phase of the project, which encompasses on the soundstage and bandshell to be built at 120 Railroad St., south of The Depot.
Wight and Co. has been working on its design since last summer and presented its first concept in August. Since then, the firm has made tweaks based on the board’s recommendations.
A final design is expected to be ready next month. If put out to bid in May or June, construction could start in September or October, officials said.
“We are still moving ahead as we had originally talked about,” Patty King, of Wight and Co., said at the Monday night board meeting.
King updated trustees on the design and sought guidance on a few things, like what type of movie projector screen the board would prefer.
The rectangular-shaped bandshell will be about 40-feet by 50-feet in size, she said.
Permanent screening will surround the sides of the stage. There will be loading zone behind the structure and backstage access will include a ramp, which not only brings it into compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act regulations but makes it easier to move equipment to stage, King said.
A decorative sign reading “Depot Park” is part of the design and will match other signs already posted downtown, officials said.
Lawn space in front of the stage will accommodate up to 500 people. There also will be a dance floor, a screen at the back of the stage and a movie projector for the village’s summer Movies in the Park program.
Wight and Co. is working with staff from the Raue Center staff to determine what type of bandshell lighting and sound system is needed. The Raue Center, which is working with East Dundee on creating a new 8,000-square-foot performing arts center as part of the village’s Railroad Street redevelopment, plans to use the bandshell for performances as well.
The stage is the first step in East Dundee’s plans to add amenities to Depot Park. The goal is to have flexible open space, swing benches, fire pits, a 40-foot-by-80-foot permanent shelter, specialty paving and landscaping, officials said.
In addition to special events, East Dundee will use the bandshell as part of its summer activities — Motor Mondays Cruise Night, Wine Down Wednesday and Thirsty Thursday Street Fest — each of which is held once a month from June to September.
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
