Mayor Richard M. Daley recently introduced an ordinance that would clear the way for his alma mater, De La Salle Institute, 3455 S Wabash Ave, to purchase the Pickford Theater, 3445 S Michigan Ave, according to the Near West Gazette.
The Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois considers the 1912 building one of the 10 most endangered places in the state. The school plans to preserve elements of the building’s interior and exterior and incororate them into a new structure.
De La Salle will seek LEED certification for the project, which will reportedly have a green roof and 7,000 square feet of retail space.
De La Salle hopes to open the new building in the fall of 2009.
The retail will be a nice addition to the greater Bronzeville area, where several massive residential developments are underway.