Fountain Blue Trying to Keep Tent

Fountain Blue has applied for a permit that would allow it to keep an outdoor tent in operation as long as it does not have amplified music, the Daily Herald reported.

The new permit filing is not a surprise. In a Nov. 7 open letter to Des Plaines residents Fountain Blue owner Tom Diamond asked residents to support the 6,000 square foot tent.

"This tent is a major part of our business as it is a unique draw for weddings and events, allowing us to generate a huge amount of business for the area economy and brings substantial revenues to the city," Diamond stated in the letter. "But the ugliness of the process caused me to became cynical, and I began to focus more on winning a political fight than on accomplishing what is best for our shared community." (Click here to read the entire letter.)

Residents near Fountain Blue, 2300 Mannheim Road, complained the tent never was properly approved and generated too much noise – Fountain Blue was cited five times for noise violations during the tent's use.

The City Council rejected a plan that included noise abatement measures this summer. The tent was supposed to come down this month, but the new permit application keeps it up for the time being – although it cannot be used for events.

The Daily Herald reported that instead of amplified music, the tent would feature "chamber music" from instruments such as violins, pianos and harps.