Du Quoin council to consider Grand Theater loan agreement

The Du Quoin city council tonight will discuss and approve a revolving loan agreement valued at between $20,000 and $25,000 with the Grand Theater Partnership and Richard Baker to install digital projection equipment on two of the three screens in the historic theater.

There are two agreements. The first authorizes the revolving loan fund agreement and the second is a redevelopment agreement between the City of Du Quoin and the partnership.

In recent months the Du Quoin Evening Call has explained how essential it is convert the theater in an entertainment industry that is rapidly ending the availability of first run monies on film. Most of the industry has gone digital with a promised crisp and clean delivery of movies.

One theater will continue to support traditional film for the classics and movies that are still readily available.

In advance the action, Mayor Red Duncan thanked economic development direct Jeff Ashauer for reaching the agreement and said this action is important on several levels. The Grand Theater is an anchor in downtown Du Quoin that supports both employment and entertainment. There is also a connectivity with nearby businesses like the nearby ice cream shop.

Duncan said most of the conversion will be made using private capital. The agreement comes with a long term plan for plan for the theater.

The council is also expected to hire a new officer in the police department. There has been a vacancy in that department the retirement of Chief of Police Mike Ward and promotion of Jamie Ellesmere to police chief.