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Board reviews Whiting Company designs for new band shell at 120 Railroad Street; trustees ask about overhangs, rigging and screening
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Summary
Whiting Company presented Phase A conceptual designs for a band shell and related site work at 120 Railroad Street. Trustees praised the plan but asked the firm to explore extended overhangs, equipment rigging compatibility, drainage and aesthetic options such as a brick apron; staff and the Rausch Center offered technical input.
The Village of East Dundee Board of Trustees heard a presentation from the Whiting Company on March 16 of revised conceptual designs for a band shell and stage at 120 Railroad Street and gave direction on technical and aesthetic details.
Patty King, representing Whiting Company, outlined Phase A as a band shell, surrounding access, and limited paving. "So our phase a improvements includes the band shell, the ability to get in and around the band shell, and access that and a little bit of paving out front," King said, and walked trustees through technical drawings and material illustrations.
Why it matters: The stage is intended as a downtown amenity that can host concerts, theater and community events. Trustees sought to balance usability, accessibility and downtown aesthetics while keeping future upgrades—sound, lighting and projection—compatible with the structure.
Design and technical points: King described dimensions and vertical clearances: "It is about 50 feet long... At the lowest point, the eave will be 10 feet from the ground plane, and then at the front, we are just over 30 feet 6 inches to the very top of the roof structure itself." Trustees asked whether side screens and rear panels would provide weather protection for equipment; King said they "will offer some protection" but are not weatherproof and are intended to be roughly 8 feet tall with possible adjustment.
Trustees pressed for compatibility and future-proofing. One trustee asked the firm to ensure built-in attachment points for audio, lighting and video so later equipment can be bolted on without major retrofits. Board members asked that the Rausch Center (a likely user) identify lighting and rigging needs; staff confirmed Richard from the Rausch Center attended the meeting and provided input on flexible rigging requirements.
Aesthetic and cost considerations: Trustees suggested a brick or stamped-concrete apron to tie the stage into downtown character. King said adding a brick face is possible as an add-alternate in bidding but will increase cost. The board asked staff to include a bid alternate for a brick facing to allow the village to evaluate price during procurement.
Other operational details: Trustees and staff discussed drainage under the stage slab (the slab will be pitched to shed water), storage options (phase 2 could include a small building behind the stage), ADA access (ramps and stairs are included), and projection options (a standard retractable screen covers about 150 inches; custom or inflatable screens are options for larger movie viewing).
Next steps: Whiting Company will adjust drawings where trustees requested changes (screen heights and overhang extensions) and return with final bid-ready plans; trustees indicated a goal of moving to bid to keep construction on track this year.
The presentation concluded and the board moved to the next agenda items.
