JOLIET, Ill. (CelebrityAccess) — The historic Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet is facing a bill for as much as much as $1M for crucial repairs to the historic venue.
According to the Joliet Herald-News, Building Manager Mike Biedron reports that the work is in addition to the repairs underway on the building's exterior after it was discovered that the terra cotta decorations on the outside of the building were coming apart. During the repair work, pieces of terra cotta that were not slated for replacement were also discovered to be coming apart and needed to be addressed as it is a safety hazard
General Manager Randy Green told the Herald-News that the Rialto does not have money for the repairs and they were faced with launching a new capital campaign in an effort to raise funds.
Other items that need remediation at the venue include repairs to a chimney and ventilation system with an estimated price tag of $200,000 and repairs to an elevator and boiler maintenance.
The Rialto, originally designed by architects Rapp & Rapp, first opened in 1926 as a vaudeville movie palace and later became a performing arts center. – Staff Writers
