The 117-year-old school has an enrollment of 900 boys at its 6.8-acre campus at the northwest corner of Michigan Avenue and 35th Street. De La Salle Institute plans to buy a building across Michigan Avenue from the city as part of its expansion.

The Pickford Theater at 3459 S. Michigan Ave. opened in 1912, showcasing silent movies. It became the South Side Center for the Performing Arts about 40 years ago, but ended up under city ownership. The building made Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois' "10 Most Endangered Historic Places" in March. "We're enthusiastically in favor of this project," says Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois president David Bahlman.

The only complaint is a bridge over Michigan Avenue, connecting the new building with its current building at 3434 S. Michigan Ave. with the new structure. "I think it's a good project," says plan commission member John H. Nelson. He acknowledges the bridge is needed to handle a large number of high school students, but still has misgivings. "We could have them all over town."