If Evanston’s aldermen choose one option in the city’s proposed budget, 50 years of curtain calls for the Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre program could come to an end.
The theater program is one option city staff proposed cutting to avert a property tax increase in the city’s 2006-2007 budget. Such a cut would save the city $122,000 per year.
The Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, which mainly performs pieces related to black history, was originally located inside the Fleetwood-Jourdain Center, 1655 Foster St. The theater and center opened in 1956 and together make up Evanston’s oldest community center.
City Manager Julia Carroll said the city suggested the Evanston City Council consider the cut because of the theater’s inactivity.
“It’s one of those programs that’s had little activity within the last year,” she said.
Also, the theater’s program manager position has been vacant for more than a year, Carroll said, causing her to question the need for the position.
The theater has been inactive because it recently moved, said Doug Gaynor, director of parks/forestry and recreation for Evanston. Until about 18 months ago, the program was based at the Family Focus Center, a nonprofit organization at 2010 Dewey Ave. Now its events are scattered, happening at places like the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes St.
Although there have not been many productions, the theater program has had several workshops, Gaynor said.
Ald. Delores Homes (5th) said there are some cuts she needs to do more research about, but she will not support a cut to the Fleetwood-Jourdain Theater program.
“I think it’s a very important element for the community,” Holmes said. “There is no other avenue for black theater in Evanston.”
Holmes said the theater benefits everyone in Evanston.
“I think the theater is a good, positive thing not only for blacks but the whole Evanston community,” she said.
Rogers Park resident Sharon Hyson attended three or four productions at the theater within the last five years.
“I don’t think it should be cut at all,” Hyson said. “I think they have great productions.”
Among the list of possible cuts is a taxicab program that subsidizes rides for the elderly or people with disabilities.
Holmes said she does not want to cut any programs that would hurt low-income residents.
“Any program that would serve the minority or low-income community I would be concerned to cut,” Holmes said referring to the theater and the taxicab program cuts.
Instead of eliminating programs, aldermen could require Evanston residents to purchase a sticker to place on bags of grass they want the city to pick up. The charge would go toward disposal and composting costs.
The city also could raise the price on the required vehicle sticker residents must purchase for each car they register in Evanston. The cost of the sticker is $60 but could increase to $65.
A public hearing of the 2006-07 budget will be held Monday Feb. 6 at the Evanston Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave.
Reach Lensay Abadula at [email protected]