THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2008
Proposals May Help Boost City's Sales Tax Revenues
By BOBBY CHILVER
Journal & Topics Reporter
Prospect Heights aldermen heard proposals for a new Social Security building, a used-car lot and zoning changes that could all help boost sales tax revenue for the city.
Prospect Heights is always in need of additional revenue and all three discussions at Monday's Committee of the Whole could help bring in new businesses and boost funds.
First was relocation of the Social Security Administration (SSA) building. The SSA typically leases buildings for about ten years before moving, according to City Administrator Pam Arrigoni. It is currently housed at the corner of Euclid and Elmhurst roads and would like to move while still remaining in Prospect Heights. They've targeted 1414 Rand Rd. for the new building, a lot that has been empty for some time.
However, the area is dubbed as the Rand Road Corridor Business District, meaning the city wants commercial stores in the area to gain sales tax. But representatives of SSA said they would help the area's business due to the more than 300 people that come by the office everyday. They also offered a tax rebate to help the city gain some benefit from the land.
The next major hurdle is that unions within the SSA require that their buildings be serviced by a water system and not well water, as the property is right now. Officials are in conversations with Arlington Heights to see if they would allow the property to connect to their lake water system.
That would require an intergovernmental agreement and the lake water would likely only service the SSA building, not future tenants.
Prospect Heights aldermen all agreed the move would be a good idea as the SSA would also improve the land that has been vacant for some time.
Mayor Pat Ludvigsen wondered how much the "rebate" would be and instructed staff to move forward with plans and get more information on the details of the project.
The next discussion was coincidently about the plot of land right next door to the proposed Social Security site.
Jeff Ringa of Ringa Enterprises approached the council and is eyeing land at 1410 Rand Rd. to re-locate his used-car business.
He currently owns the business in Deer Park and would close that location to open up in Prospect Heights. The lot would also include an on-site mechanic and bay to clean the cars on site.
Again, aldermen were all in favor of a business that could help boost revenue.
"We're filling up an empty lot with a useful business and I think it's great," Ald. Richard Hamen said.
Ald. John Styler also pointed out that auto sales tax generates the highest amount for the city.
Ringa provided aldermen with pictures of his old lot and planned improvements for the Rand Road location. The proposal will likely come to the council on a later date for approval.
Finally, Fred Hakimian, owner of the Wildbrook Shopping Center at the corner of Elmhurst and Palatine roads, asked the council to allow more types of businesses in his development. The Wildbrook center was recently built at the northwest corner of the intersection, however only a small convenience and liquor store has entered the development so far.
Hakimian said restrictions have forced him to turn down several interested businesses. The ordinance limits the type of stores to go in because it was deemed certain businesses could disturb residents nearby.
Hakimian provided a list of stores that he would like added to the allowed list. He pointed out that allowing some sort of restaurant would be most important because it would draw in more customers to the businesses at the center.
Aldermen expressed willingness to help bring in more businesses but had problems will some of the listed types of stores. They also wanted to make sure commercial stores entered the center so they could bring in revenue.
Aldermen were to think of ideas they have for the center and they will discuss the expanded list at their next Committee of the Whole meeting.