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Woodstock council hears $1 million design plan for Stage Left renovation
Summary
Designers presented a state‑funded, accessibility‑focused renovation plan for Stage Left that flips audience flow, relocates the bar, adds adjustable risers and modular seating, and aims to go to bid and permitting within days. Council praised the plan and asked staff to track costs and construction timing.
Designers working on Woodstock’s Stage Left renovation told the City Council on April 7 that the project will be funded by a $1,000,000 grant from the state of Illinois and is moving quickly toward bidding and permitting.
“We received a $1,000,000 grant award from the state of Illinois through DCEO funding,” said Mercedes Miley, president and director of FAR Associates, the Chicago‑based architecture and urban‑design firm leading the project. Miley walked council through proposed changes that would flip the room’s existing circulation so audience seating sits near the square and the stage moves to the back, add a relocated bar and two service windows for overflow, and introduce adjustable stage risers and stackable seating to speed turnover between events.
The plan emphasizes universal access and flexibility: the design would raise portions of the floor to align elevations with the adjacent Opera House, reconfigure ramps, and maintain a fire‑rated door between Stage Left and the Opera House for egress. Miley said an acoustic consultant is preparing calculations to ensure the changes improve, rather than worsen, sound for live performance; staff noted that some finish items, such as bathrooms, are bid alternates that could be dropped if bids exceed the budget.
Mayor Turner praised the concept, calling it “creativity and flexibility” that should increase downtown activity and revenue for nearby restaurants and shops when the venue is operating. He said the city uses outside consultants to bring perspective from other projects and that staff will monitor bids and costs closely.
Council questions focused on construction timing and operations: consultants told the council that a full scope would be bid as early as the coming Friday and that, if the complete package is accepted, the interior renovation could take a few months. Mercedes Miley recommended buying enough low‑height chairs to seat the theater capacity while holding a small number of high‑top chairs for specific configurations; she also said portable risers could be added as a bid alternate.
Council members asked about staffing implications and rental rates; consultants and staff said they do not anticipate increasing staff in year one and will study rental‑rate changes and business modeling after a new director is in place. Staff confirmed the project is funded by the DCEO grant and that final scope will depend on bid results and any deductive alternates.
Next steps: staff expects to submit plans for bidding and permitting within days and will return to council as bids and schedule solidify. The council asked staff to include cost and schedule updates in forthcoming budget and project reports.
