Portage Park – After stepping back into the long‑vacant lobby of the historic Portage Theater, new owner Chris Bauman said he felt “emotionally overwhelmed.” Bauman, who organized events at the theater from 2014‑2018, purchased the 4050 N. Milwaukee Ave. property last fall through his company Zenith Music Group.
Foundation Launched to Fund Restoration
Bauman announced the creation of the Portage Theater Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to raising $3 million to reopen the 106‑year‑old theater within a year. The foundation will continue fundraising for phased renovations after the initial reopening.
Planned Uses and Community Benefits
Once restored, the venue is slated for concerts, film screenings, indoor markets and local theater productions. Bauman says the foundation will serve as a bridge between the theater and the neighborhood, bringing community events into the space.
Donors contributing $500 will receive a personalized tile in the entryway; $200 donors get a one‑day marquee message; contributions of $50 or more earn a collectible certificate.
Renovation Details
Restoration will begin with the iconic marquee, whose metal and brickwork will be replaced within the next 30‑60 days. Interior damage is described as largely cosmetic, with no structural issues.
Planned upgrades include expanding restroom facilities from eight stalls to 24, adding an ADA‑accessible family bathroom, installing decorative lighting to highlight the ornate ceiling, building a green room, and creating a music‑themed bar in the adjacent storefront.
The theater’s capacity will be about 1,499 seats after the work is complete.
Community Involvement
The foundation is seeking volunteers for marketing, fundraising and even cleaning duties. It will also host outdoor movie screenings this fall to generate interest.
Bauman, also founder of the Avondale Music Hall and partial owner of the nearby Patio Theater, emphasized the urgency of reopening, noting that vacant theaters “fall apart exponentially” and become costly to restore.
He added that preserving the building protects local history, preventing the loss of historic features like the chalkboard advertising $3 hot dogs and the velvet curtain above the stage.
Future Plans
Phase two of the project may convert the space above the theater—once an archery range—into a rentable event venue.
Bauman pledged, “The Portage Theater is 100 percent going to open; that is my commitment to the community.”
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
