Old Town School readies $18 million expansion, new concert hall
Rendering of the planned expansion of the Old Town School of Folk Music across the street from its current Lincoln Avenue location.
The economy remains sluggish and the concert industry has had better summers. But business is booming at the Old Town School of Folk Music, and the 53-year-old institution will announce Wednesday that it plans to expand into a new $18 million facility in 2011.
Ground-breaking for the 27,100-square-foot, three-story facility across the street from Old Town’s current home at 4544 N. Lincoln Ave. will take place Aug. 6. It is expected to add 250 jobs and infuse the local economy with an additional $6 million in income from patrons spending on parking, meals, drinks and babysitters while attending events or classes.Though the main thrust of the expansion will be to give the school more classrooms for its burgeoning music and dance-instruction enrollment, it will also allow Old Town to significantly expand its concert bookings.
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