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Bel-Air Drive-In to be demolished for a shopping center
posted by
PiD
on
January 1, 2007 at 12:52 pm
CICERO, IL — Plans are in motion to build a couple big box stores on the site of the former Bel-Air Drive-In.
Cicero trustees have approved plans for a Wal-Mart store and a Lowe’s Home Improvement store to be built near 31st Street and Cicero Avenue, at the site of a former drive-in movie theater, the Bel-Air, said a spokesman for the developer, Monroe Investment Partners of Chicago.
Prior to the Bel-Air drive-in, the property was used as a landfill and a quarry. The 217,000-square-foot Wal-Mart and the 150,000-square-foot Lowe’s stores are expected to open at the end of 2007 or in early 2008.
To read more on this story, go to the Sun Times.
Comments (6)
Kind of a bummer I guess. I remember when this place was up and running. But it has been a pasture of urban decay for quite a while now, and the odds of it ever opening again are slim.
My first drive-in experience! Saw PSYCHO, WRECK OF THE MARY DEARE, THE LAST VOYAGE….it was a big thing to have a kiddie playground (right below the screens) for us then.
I recall going to this drive-in when i was a child also i recall how people would bring folding chairs and sit on the bridge at 31st street and watch the movie.
Wow…do you think that one day will be a historic Wal-Mart and Lowes?? I think not! maybe there will be many memories made there. Like a first Date..or make out session at Walmart. Good luck! HAHAHAHA
Certainly the same was said of drive-ins when they began to supplant traditional movie theaters.
All through November and December I fought with the city clerk of Cicero to get them to respond to my Freedom of Information request to determine the ownership of the land. My partners and I were going to explore the possibilities of resurecting the Bel Air. Cicero was helpful at first but now I know why the refused to assist me. Obviosly they want the tax base from the big box retailer. Another example of corporate interests trampling small business.