washington cultural center performance facility located grand boulevard community area chicago illinois united_states named chicago african american mayor opened august years initial groundbreaking addition seat theatre center offers singer credit center cost million originally named changed telling considered neighborhood douglas community area limestone building located site historic black theatre subject controversy stemming construction phase marked delays cost financially disappointing start standards chronicled award winning investigative report center suffered use leading financial management difficulties loans voted november center use consolidated program native served years illinois legislature years united_states house_of_representatives elected mayor office washington earned law degree admitted practiced law chicago mayoral victory encouraged blacks country register vote marked end racial inequality chicago politics today center successful measures center received naming rights theatre years center opened center originally broken ground called accepted check aunt help fund raising efforts second ground breaking frustration completed withdrew distanced project insisted delays function insistence project use african american contractors original plan surrounding center finances center lost nearly twice money grossed year operations investigative reports outlook august june marked fiscal calendar year federal tax return revenues including government grants expenses totaled essentially million private donations construction fund raising phases despite small steady flow public money tobacco road inc non profit manager center property property profit calendar center originally meant education center entertainment center second success youth programming scarce performance calendar sparse result failed lure anticipated tourism neighborhood city takeover november committee voted invest million center control center primary holder outstanding debt time loan plan called having center run considered way protect city previous million investment pointed proper feedback time time finance difficulties included nursing school plan included consolidating performing arts programs center mayor noted center events year short booking obligations expected use center educational entertainment events history center located historical corner historical neighborhood intersection 47th street drive south_park time intersections american culture location theatre played host prominent icons african american music regularly corner provided fodder national gossip dreams black american youth neighborhood time city center black cultural business political life home famous musicians legendary blues artist features private corporate meetings rooms host workshops story equipped screens video center features center square feet statue measuring feet late mayor entrance corner 47th street lobby features story windows permitting natural lighting marble floors black white spiral staircase looks like winding piano keyboard center originally seat theatre art gallery museum space current theatre seat art performance facility served host internationally acclaimed artist events host community celebrations offers technology workshops free public main objective center foster environment provides children seniors community chicago south large hands technology driven experiences sponsored state art center offers wireless network mile radius center powered capability offer online concerts center computer center computer stations center serves seniors small business owners local youth pounds statue shows mayor washington looking authoritative business suit tie talking committee document right hand left sculpture biography washington political military academic record controversy outlook free weekly newspaper circulation reports chicago neighborhood won george award honors journalism investigative reports 3rd reports focus post construction controversies ignore construction delays cost despite controversies stand ethics reform senator barack_obama endorsed election early supporter management daughter executive director paid current members board include brother chicago musician long time friend chief staff campaign contributor financial contributor campaigns catering events center hosted scrutiny violating federal non profit tax law persons affiliated non profit group relatives profit non profit group senior management members board directors owns operates spoken word located directly north provide catering events potentially violation federal tax law events grand opening gala featured leading piece events hosted olympic champion celebration marking return united_states following winter olympics march addition july july day conference commemorating 40th anniversary held center attendees included delivered concluding lecture september honored daughters gala center building hosted concerts groups hosted birthday party mariah carey july center viewing memorial michael_jackson
Harold Washington Cultural Center