The fate of the now shuttered Wheaton Grand Theatre should be left to a private developer, based on the results of an advisory referendum that showed voters do not want the city to fund improvements to the downtown property.

Unofficial vote totals showed 56 percent of residents would not support the city using up to $150,000 a year in public funds for the restoration and operation of the Wheaton Grand Theatre.

The nonbinding referendum was introduced by Councilman Todd Scalzo in January, and placed on the ballot following a 5-2 vote by members of the council.

“Well, basically, I am disappointed because I was a supporter of it, and I thought it would be good for the community and good for the town,” he said.

Scalzo believes reopening the Wheaton Grand would drive customers downtown, increase sales tax revenue, create jobs, attract new businesses and improve current businesses.

However, the residents have spoken, and council members now understand they would not support using public funding to revive the property, he said. Gaining this type of input was extremely important, he said, and why he pushed to have the question placed on the ballot.

Looking forward, Scalzo said the bank, which took over ownership of the theater last summer, can still sell it to a private developer. However, he believes it will be torn down.

“I think (operating it as a theater) is what its best use was, and so if that is off the table, there are no other options,” he said.