Permit dispute ends bid to bring haunted attraction back to Elgin
Evil Intentions Haunted House will not open in Elgin this year after its owner said the project could not move forward because of unresolved building permit issues. The operator, which had hoped to convert a long-vacant five-storey industrial building on North State Street into an entertainment venue, confirmed it is looking for alternative sites for 2027.
City records show the development team had obtained a conditional use permit following approval by the Elgin City Council on 22 July, but a building permit — required to begin construction — was not issued in time for the developer’s planned schedule.
“Unfortunately, despite repeated efforts by our development team, we were unable to obtain the building permit necessary to proceed,” the owner, Mike Fitzpatrick, said in an email.
Elgin officials said staff had worked extensively with the developers to ensure the proposed conversion of the former Heider Electric Co. building at 80 N. State St. met building and life‑safety standards. City communications manager Josie Beecher‑Crotty said the proposal required a range of improvements to bring the older industrial property up to code.
Beecher‑Crotty said:
“Ultimately, Evil Intention’s development team was unable to provide a complete, code‑compliant set of development plans within their time frame to begin construction and meet their planned opening schedule.”
The five‑storey, 21,000‑square‑foot building has stood vacant for some time. Evil Intentions had planned to move into the site in time for this year’s Halloween season after operating previously from other Elgin locations, including a near‑two‑decade stay in the former Elgin Casket Co. building off Bluff City Boulevard.
In his statement, Fitzpatrick said the team had been engaged in the building approval process for seven months and had expected to continue working with city staff to resolve outstanding requirements. He added the company remained disappointed by the outcome but was exploring new locations in the wider Chicagoland area for 2027.
Local consequences and context
The collapse of the plan leaves a prominent downtown site empty for at least another year and postpones the jobs, footfall and commercial activity the attraction might have brought to nearby businesses during the busy Halloween season. The operator described Evil Intentions as an award‑winning attraction with a long local history; city leaders had anticipated the scheme would help reactivate a vacant building in the central business district.
For residents and traders in the surrounding area, the decision underscores the challenges of converting older industrial buildings into public entertainment venues. Such projects commonly require substantial upgrades to meet contemporary fire, accessibility and structural standards — processes that can be time‑consuming and costly.
- Site: Former Heider Electric Co., 80 N. State St., Elgin.
- Scale: Five storeys, approximately 21,000 sq ft.
- Timeline: Conditional use approved 22 July; building permit not obtained in time for 2026 opening.
| Aspect | Status |
|---|---|
| Conditional use permit | Approved by city council |
| Building permit | Not issued — development team unable to supply code‑compliant plans in time |
| Planned opening | Missed for 2026; operator seeking new site for 2027 |
City officials emphasised that their role has been to balance the potential economic and cultural benefits of a new entertainment venue with the need to protect public safety. Converting aged industrial stock into venues with significant public occupancy typically requires detailed plans addressing fire suppression, means of escape, structural integrity and accessibility.
Fitzpatrick thanked residents, community partners, the event crew and guests who had supported the project during its early phases, saying the team remained “sincerely grateful”. Meanwhile, Elgin’s leadership will have to consider fresh options for bringing empty downtown buildings back into use while ensuring any proposals meet regulatory requirements.
The setback is likely to rekindle discussion locally about how the city and prospective developers can better coordinate during adaptive‑reuse projects to reduce delays, without compromising on safety and compliance. For now, the vacant North State Street building will remain on the market as Evil Intentions evaluates alternative locations outside Elgin for its next season.
