Du Quoin's Grand Theater sells at auction

DU QUOIN - The Grand Theater in Du Quoin sold at auction Thursday.

Mayor Guy Alongi said a buyer located in Texas purchased the building from Regions Bank for $5,000. The name of the buyer, he said, is Rick Vavro from Lago Vista, Texas. Vavro is a civil contractor who does work in and around Austin, Texas. Alongi said Vavro was born in Slidell, Louisiana, a small community like Du Quoin.

Alongi said he had the opportunity to speak with Vavro and was encouraged.

"Our initial conversation was very positive," Alongi posted on Facebook. "His first concern is making the building structurally sound and moving on to repurpose the building so that it is an asset to our community. He plans to visit Du Quoin in the next few weeks for a sit-down conversation with Jeff Ashauer (city economic development director) and me. I will keep the public informed as we move forward in assisting Mr. Vavro in this venture. I feel this will be a very positive relationship and a very positive outcome for the Grand Theater building."

The bank previously offered to donate the building to the city, but the city refused, citing high repair costs.

"I just want this to be a positive for Du Quoin," Alongi said. "I hope this buyer (Vavro) has deep pockets and a vision for this building."

The iconic structure, located on Main Street, has been in disrepair for the last few years. Shows at The Grand were last seen nearly three years ago at the theater (Sept. 15, 2015).

Alongi said a feasibility study was conducted by the city to learn what it would cost to make the necessary renovations and said the cost was too great to tackle.

"It would be close to $1 million," he said. "And we just can't justify that kind of expenditure to the taxpayers of this community. Maybe in Carbondale or Marion, but not here."

The mayor said he is deeply concerned about dilapidated structures in town and how they impact the community. He said The Grand, along with the Elks Lodge, are at the top of the list of buildings needing to be fixed up or demolished, the mayor said.

The Grand Theater, which opened in 1914 with 900 seats, is one of the last of the small-town Art Deco-style movie houses left in Illinois.

Jeffrey Ashauer, who consults with the city on economic development, said the building's roof is in pretty bad shape and would have to be replaced. He added that a portion of the north end of the building would have to be demolished and a new wall put up.

Without someone coming forward to repair it, the building is also at risk of becoming a danger to the public, Ashauer added.

"The north third of the building is in danger of falling in," he said. "If bricks start falling on the sidewalk, we'll have to condemn it."

Ashauer added that the initial $1 million outlay would be just the beginning. New theater seats would also be needed, and would cost about $70,000.</group><group id="5EEF766A-FC06-4367