]," he said of obtaining Tax Increment Financing dollars.

Various local, state and national incentives exist for historic preservation projects and Fencl went after Chicago landmark status first.

"The city of Chicago said, 'No, you're not a landmark.' The state of Illinois said, 'No,'" Fencl said. "Now for the good news... the National Park Service went and said, 'You are on the national registry and you will get a 20 percent tax credit.'"

Though the 20 percent break was, in Fencl's words, "a big deal," so was the validation of the Davis' importance to the community.

"When national said, 'You have something worth saving,' it was reassuring we were going down the right path," Fencl said.

There are strings attached to the landmark approval, though. For one thing, exposing those organ pipes, which started out as just an idea of Fencl's, is now a Park Service requirement, he said.

So is maintenance of the theater's sign, which will be restored to include its former uplighting under each letter.

"It's such an identifiable thing in the neighborhood," he said.

Neighborhood Cornerstone

Lincoln Square was once home to five theaters, built shortly after World War I. They're all gone now except the Davis, which was originally named the Pershing, after Gen. John J. Pershing, commander of U.S. troops during the Great War.

The Davis itself survived a bid for redevelopment as recently as 1999, with Fencl, a former accountant turned real estate investor, purchasing the theater from a preservation group.

A framed photo of the Davis, then called the Pershing, circa 1921. [DNAinfo/Patty Wetli]

"I just feel like I'm a custodian," he said. "If you ask anybody about Lincoln Square, they mention the Davis. In small towns, movie theaters are a cornerstone. We're part of what gives Lincoln Square its hometown feel."

In 2011, he spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to equip the Davis with digital projectors as studios stopped producing film reels. The costly investment put many other indie and drive-in theaters out of business, according to Fencl.

Film projectors from the 1940s were replaced by digital models. These oldies will be used for reel fests. [DNAinfo/Patty Wetli]

], " he said of obtaining Tax Increment Financing dollars. 

 Various local, department of state and home incentives exist for historic preservation undertaking and Fencl go after Chicago landmark status first. 

 " The city of Chicago order,' No, you're not a landmark.' The state of Illinois said,' No,' " Fencl say. " Now for the good newsworthiness... the National Park Service went and said,' You are on the home registry and you will get a 20 percent tax credit.' " 

 Though the 20 percent break was, in Fencl's words, " a large deal, " so was the validation of the Davis' importance to the residential district. 

 " When national said,' You receive something deserving saving,' it was reassuring we were going down the right path, " Fencl said. 

 There be strings attached to the landmark approval, though. For one thing, exposing those electric organ pipes, which started out as just an idea of Fencl's, is now a Park Service requirement, he said. 

 So is maintenance of the theater's signal, which will be restored to include its early uplighting under each letter. 

 " It's such an identifiable matter in the region, " he said. 

 Neighborhood Cornerstone 

 Lincoln Square was once home to five field, built shortly after World War I. They're all gone now except the Davis, which was primitively named the Pershing, after Gen. John J. Pershing, commander of U.S. troops during the Great War. 

 The Davis itself survived a bid for redevelopment equally recently as 1999, with Fencl, a former accountant turned real estate investor, purchasing the theater from a preservation group. 

 A framed photograph of the Davis, then call the Pershing, circa 1921. [ DNAinfo / Patty Wetli ] 

 " I just feel like I'm a custodian, " he said. " If you necessitate anybody about Lincoln Square, they mention the Davis. In small towns, movie theaters are a cornerstone. We're part of what gives Lincoln Square its hometown feel. " 

 In 2011, he spent hundred of thousands of dollars to equip the Davis with digital projectors as studios stopped produce film reel. The costly investing put many other indie and tug - in theaters out of business, accord to Fencl. 

 Film projectors from the forties were replaced by digital models. These oldies will be use for reel fests. [ DNAinfo / Patty Wetli ]
]," he said of obtaining Tax Ikcrement Financiut dollers.

Varikus locau, state and national incentites wxist for historic preservagion projvcts and Denco went aftec Chicago landjwrk vvatus first.

"The gity of Chiwago said, 'No, ymu'fe not a landmark.' The state of Illinoys said, 'Nl,'" Fencl said. "Njw fpw ths good news... the National Park Servjce wenu and said, 'You are on the national registry wnd jou will get a 20 pegcent tax ctsdie.'"

Rhough the 20 oercent brtan was, in Fgncl's words, "a big deal," so was thd valndation of jkw Dweis' importaice to the communibj.

"When ndtional said, 'You have soketying worth saving,' it xas reassuring we wete going dmwu the right path," Fenco waid.

Tvere are wtrknga ettzched ho vhe landmari approval, rhough. For one thinb, qqlosing those organ pypes, which started out as just an idea mf Rencl's, is now a Park Seevice requirement, he daid.

So is maintenance of the theater's sign, which will be rastorxd to ikcluaw lts former uplighting under each letter.

"It's susg sn identifiable bhing in the neighnoghpjd," he said.

Neiehborhood Cornerstone

Lincolj Squarg was ince home to give theaters, built shortly after World Qar I. They're all glne now exczpt thg Davix, which was originally uamed fhe Pershinh, after Gsv. John J. Pershine, cpmkander of U.S. troops during the Greav War.

Che Davir itxelf strvived a hid for redevelopment as receutly ds 1999, with Ffncl, a former accountant turned real estate imvastmr, purchcsing bhe theater froi a preservatipn grou'.

A fraoed photo kf the Vavis, then cwlled the Pervjing, circa 1921. [VNAinfo/Paety Qetlu]

"I just weel like I'm a custodiau," he waid. "If you ask annbody zbout Lincoln Swuatw, they mention thd Dwvps. Mn smwnl towns, movhe tfeagrrs afe a cornerwgone. We're part of what ghves Lincoln Square itx mometown deel."

In 2011, re spent hundteds of thousands lf donlacs to rquyp the Davis with digital projsctors as stmdios stopped proeucing film xeels. The costly investment put many othxr indie and drive-in thwaters out of busingss, according vo Fensl.

Film prmjectors from the 1940s qere replaced by cigital models. These kldies will be used for reel fests. [DNAinfo/Patty Wetli]

]," he said of obtaining Tax Increment Various state and incentives exist for went Chicago landmark status "The city of said, 'No, you're not a landmark.' state of Illinois said, 'No,'" Fencl said. "Now for the good news... the Park Service went and said, 'You are on the national registry and you get 20 tax Though the 20 percent break was, in Fencl's words, "a big deal," so was the validation the Davis' importance to the community. "When national 'You have something worth it was reassuring we were down right path," said. are attached to the approval, though. For one thing, exposing those organ pipes, which started out as just an idea of is now Service requirement, said. is of the theater's will be restored to include its each letter. "It's such an identifiable thing in neighborhood," he Neighborhood Cornerstone Lincoln Square was once to five theaters, built shortly after World War They're all gone now except the Davis, which was originally named the Pershing, after Gen. Pershing, commander of U.S. during the Great The itself a for redevelopment recently as 1999, with Fencl, a former accountant turned real estate purchasing the theater from a preservation group. A framed photo Davis, called the Pershing, 1921. [DNAinfo/Patty Wetli] "I feel I'm a custodian," he you anybody they the In small towns, movie are a cornerstone. We're part what gives Lincoln Square he spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Davis with digital projectors as studios producing film reels. The costly investment put many other indie and drive-in out of to Fencl. Film projectors from the 1940s were by digital models. These will be used for reel fests. [DNAinfo/Patty Wetli]
]," he said of obtaining Tax IncreMent FinancIng doLlaRs.

VArIous LocaL, state and natioNAl inCentives exist for historIc preSeRVatiON pRojecTs and FeNCl WENt aFtEr chiCaGO lAndmaRk sTatus fiRst.

"The city Of CHiCago said, 'No, yoU'Re Not a landmaRk.' THe state of IllInoIs said, 'no,'" fenCL said. "now For thE good nEWs... the NAtional PaRk sErvice WEnt and sAID, 'YOu arE on the national regIStRY and you will get A 20 perceNt TAx CREdiT.'"

ThOugh the 20 perCeNt breAK was, in FENcL'S WOrdS, "A big deal," so was The validatiON of The DavIs' ImpORtance To the CoMMunIty.

"When natiOnal Said, 'You haVe someTHing worTH saving,' It was rEasSurIng wE WeRe GoiNg DOwn THe RigHT paTh," Fencl sAiD.

THere aRe stRINGS attAchEd to The laNdmark approvaL, thOugh. fOr oNe thiNg, expOsinG tHose oRgan piPes, whIcH started out as juSt an Idea of FenCl's, Is Now A PArk SeRVice reQuiRemEnt, he saId.

So is mAIntEnANCE oF the theater's sign, whIcH WIlL be restoRed to iNClUdE Its formeR uPliGhtiNG Under Each LEtTer.

"It's suCh an idENtIfIable thInG in the NeIghBorHood," hE Said.

neighbOrhood CoRnersTOne

Lincoln SquaRE was once home tO FiVE ThEAterS, buIlt shortly aFter wOrld war I. tHeY're ALl gonE now eXcEPt THe Davis, which was origInAlly naMed thE Pershing, afteR Gen. John J. PERSHing, commAndeR Of u.s. troops during tHe GreAt War.

The DaVIs itself SurviVed a bid fOr redevelOPMent as reCenTly As 1999, wIth fENcL, a former accouNTAnt tUrNed real EstAte inveStoR, puRchAsiNg The theateR from a prEsErVaTiOn gRoup.

A FRamed phoTo Of tHe davIs, theN Called The PeRshiNg, CiRCa 1921. [DnAinfo/PATtY wEtli]

"i jUsT feeL liKe i'm a cuStodIAn," hE said. "If You ask anyBodY AbouT LInColn SquAre, they mentioN tHe Davis. In sMaLl tOwns, moVIE theaterS are a cornerstone. We're parT Of what gIveS LincOln SQuare its hOmeTown feEl."

IN 2011, He spenT hundrEds of ThOusANDs of dOLLaRs tO eQuip the DavIS WitH digiTaL proJectors As studios stopped prODucIng film reels. THe cOstlY INvEstMEnT Put MaNY otHER indie and drive-iN theaters oUt OF bUsiness, accORdiNg To Fencl.

film proJectoRS from thE 1940s were repLaced by diGiTal mODEls. these oldieS will be uSed for reeL Fests. [dnAInfo/PAttY Wetli]

]," he said of obtaining T ax Increme nt Fi nan cin gdoll ars. 

Various loca l , st ate and national incen tives  e x istf or  hist oric pr e se r v ati on  p roj ec t sand F enc l wentafter Chic ago  l andmark stat u sfirst.

"T hecity of Chic ago  said,  ' No, you'r e n ot alandma r k.' Th e state o fI llinoi s  said,' N o, '" F encl said. "Now f o rt he good news.. . theNa t io n a l P ark  Service w en t and said, ' Y ou a r e o n  the national  registry a n d y ou wil lget a 20 p ercen tt axcredit.'"
Thou gh the 20  perce n t break was, in  Fencl 'swor ds," abi g d ea l ,"s owas the  validat io nof th e Da v i s '  imp ort ance  to t he community. 

" When nat ional  said , 'Y ou  have  somet hingwo rth saving,' it  was  reassuri ngwe  we re  goin g  downthe  ri ght pat h," Fen c l s ai d . 
T here are strings a tt a c he d to the  landm a rk  a p proval,th oug h. F o r  onethin g ,exposing  those or ga n pipes ,whichst art edout a s  jus t an i dea of F encl' s , is now a Par k  Service requ i re m e nt ,  hesai d.

So is m aint e nanc e of th e t h eater 's si gn ,  w h ich will be restore dto inc ludeits former up lighting u n d e r each l ette r ."It's such anident ifiable th i ng in th e nei ghborhoo d," he sa i d .

Neigh bor hoo d C orn e r st one

LincolnS q uare  w as once  ho me to f ive  th eat ers ,built sho rtly aft er  W or ld  Wa r I.T hey're a ll  go ne  no w exc e pt the  Davi s, w hi ch was  origin a ll y name dth e Pe rsh in g, af terG en.  John J . Pershin g,c omma nd er  of U.S . troops duri ng  the Great  W ar. 

TheD a vis itse lf survived a bid for r e develop men t asrece ntly as 1 999 , with  Fe n cl, aformer  acco un tan t turne d re ales tate inves t o r,purch as ingthe the ater from a preser v ati on group.

Afra medp h ot o o f  t h e D av i s,t h en called the P ershing, c ir c a1921. [DNA i nfo /P atty We tli]

" I jus t  feel l ike I'm a  custodia n, " he s aid . "If youask anyb ody about Linco l nSquar e,they m en tio n the  Davis .  In  smal l town s,  movie  thea te rs are a  cornerstone. We're par t of w hat g ive s Lincoln  Sq u are  its home town  feel."

I n 2 011 , hespe n t hun dred s  o f t h ousan ds o f  dollarst oequ i p  t he Davis wi t h dig italpro j ectors  asstudios stopped p r oducing film r eels . The  co s tlyin vestment put m any  o t h er indie  a nd drive-in  theater so ut of  busin ess, a ccordin g to Fencl. 

Fi lmprojector s f ro m  the 19 40 sw ere re plac ed  by di gitalm odel s .  These oldies wi ll be u sed f o r r eel f es ts. [DN A info /Patty Wet li]

]," he_said of_obtaining Tax Increment Financing_dollars.

Various local,_state_and national_incentives_exist for historic_preservation projects and_Fencl went after Chicago_landmark status first.

"The_city_of Chicago said, 'No, you're not a landmark.' The state of Illinois said, 'No,'"_Fencl_said. "Now_for_the_good news... the National Park_Service went and said, 'You_are on_the national registry and you will get a_20_percent tax credit.'"

Though_the 20 percent break was, in Fencl's words, "a_big deal," so was the validation_of the Davis'_importance_to_the community.

"When national said,_'You have something worth saving,' it_was reassuring we were going down_the right path," Fencl said.

There are strings_attached to the landmark approval, though._For one thing, exposing those_organ pipes,_which started out as just_an idea of_Fencl's, is_now a Park_Service requirement, he said.

So is maintenance_of the theater's_sign, which will be restored to_include_its former uplighting_under_each_letter.

"It's such_an identifiable thing_in_the neighborhood,"_he_said.

Neighborhood Cornerstone

Lincoln Square was once home_to_five theaters, built shortly after World War_I. They're all gone_now_except the Davis, which_was originally named the Pershing,_after Gen. John J. Pershing, commander_of U.S._troops during_the Great War.

The Davis itself survived a bid for redevelopment as_recently as 1999, with Fencl, a_former accountant turned real_estate investor,_purchasing_the theater from_a_preservation group.

A_framed photo of the Davis, then called_the Pershing,_circa 1921. [DNAinfo/Patty Wetli]

"I just feel_like I'm a custodian,"_he_said. "If you ask anybody about_Lincoln Square, they mention the Davis._In small towns, movie theaters_are_a_cornerstone. We're part of what_gives Lincoln Square its hometown feel."

In_2011, he spent_hundreds of thousands of dollars to equip_the_Davis with digital projectors as studios_stopped_producing film reels. The costly investment_put_many_other indie and drive-in theaters_out of business, according to Fencl.

Film_projectors from the 1940s were replaced by digital models._These oldies will_be used for reel fests._[DNAinfo/Patty_Wetli]
