The future of the "223" property in Washington suddenly looks bright.
It is 11 years after the city purchased 223 acres of farmland at the intersection of U.S. Route 24 and Nofsinger Road for $4.9 million to slow residential growth and create opportunities for development. A tornado and pandemic got in the way, but a plan to build a 5,000-seat amphitheater on the property is now on the table.
It's the dream of 1971 Washington Community High School graduate Jim Hengst, who wants to donate $12 million to build the amphitheater in honor of his late wife Dee and name it for her. Dee died in 2021.
Hengst, who built and sold a multi-hundred-million-dollar biotechnology firm, and his wife loved listening to music in outdoor venues.
"Jim won't come here from Marco Island (Fla.), where he lives, for the ribbon-cutting for the amphitheater because his wife won't be with him," Washington Mayor Gary Manier said Monday at a city council committee of the whole meeting.
"He just wants to do something for Washington in his wife's name," Manier said.
The not-for-profit, Washington-based Hengst Foundaton would cover the costs of building, managing and maintaining the amphitheater, which would be built in 2026 on the northeast side of the portion of the 223 property that is south of U.S. Route 24.
The city would need to spend an estimated $3.2 to $6 million to add infrastructure to the property including a road into the amphitheater site from the realigned Nofsinger Road.
The results of an extensive, months-long amphitheater feasibility study paid for by the foundation were presented Monday to the council by speakers from several companies.
One of the conclusions drawn by the study was after the first year of operation, annual revenue generated by the amphitheater would exceed expenses. Here are some other highlights:
- 2,000 seats would be actual seating; the other 3,000 seats would be lawn seats.
- A canopy would cover about 700 seats.
- There would be about 1,700 parking spaces.
- From 12-15 "professional" events and 10 community events would be held annually at the amphitheater.
- A 1 1/2- to two-story building for back of the house functions would be constructed behind the stage.
Nick LeRoy, CEO and founder of Bloomington-based NTL Productions, said the amphitheater would provide a synergy, not competition, for the 1,100-seat Caterpillar Performing Arts Center at Five Points Washington.
"It could add to Five Points' offerings," he said, giving as an example an opening act at the amphitheater wanting to perform again in the city.
A majority of the council and Manier supported giving the foundation the go-ahead to continue pursuing the project.
Council member John Blundy said he isn't against the amphitheater, but he has concerns about its financial viability and the city's costs for infrastructure.
Other council members said they look at the city's infrastructure costs as not just what's necessary for the amphitheater project, but as an investment for future development on the land and an opportunity the city can't toss away.
"This is a dream come true after 11 years, and a quality of life investment for the city," said council member Brian Butler. "Plus, it gets us off dead center in developing this land."
"The risks are substantial, but so are the rewards," said council member Mike McIntyre.
Manier said the amphitheater could be the catalyst for the creation of a a permanent home for the Washington Chamber of Commerce's annual Good Neighbor Days celebration.
The amphitheater was praised by speakers during audience comments.
Jim Tallman, chair of the Washington Community High School Music Department, said the amphitheater would put arts in the area on the map.
Tallman also read a statement from WCHS Superintendent Kyle Freeman, who couldn't be at the meeting because he was attending a WCHS School Board meeting.
Freeman said he supports the amphitheater project because it would give WCHS students opportunities to perform in a large professional setting.
R. Rennie Atterbury, retired Caterpillar Inc. general counsel, is the foundation board president. Nick Maloof is the secretary and Lada Manier, wife of the mayor, is the treasurer.
Matt Moehle, vice president and co-manager of Washington Community Bank, is the "guardian" of the foundation money. Washington attorney Bob Brown formed the foundation.
Council supports a nearly 9% tax levy increase and a water main relocation on U.S. Business Route 24
Also at Monday's meeting, the council:
- Supported a $181,053, or 8.56% increase in the city's 2024 tax levy (taxes collected in 2025) to $2,297,352. The tax rate of .53676 per $100 equalized assessed valuation would remain the same. The increase would come from the city's 8.55% EAV hike determined by the Tazewell County Assessor's Office. The city will be paying $307,354 more for fire and ambulance services in the 2024-25 fiscal year ($1,403,756) as part of a contract approved last month by the council. With this tax levy option, 33.5% of the fire and ambulance contract would be funded by the levy and the remainder ($932,852) would come from the city's general fund. About 6% of a Washington resident's property tax bill goes to the city.
- Identified a U.S. Business Route 24 water main relocation as the top priority water system project in the city as part of a project plan that must be submitted to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to obtain a state revolving fund loan. A water rate study to determine loan payback capability must be part of the project plan. The study is expected to be completed in February.
- Gave the go-ahead for city staff to sell 96 graves on the south side of Glendale Cemetery for $74,880 to the LaHood family to create a large-scale memorial.
- Learned former city administrator Jim Snider's out-of-town residency while he's on paid leave until February doesn't violate a city ordinance because his separation agreement supersedes the ordinance.
