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Mount Prospect Trustee Candidates Look Toward Future Should Bears Move To Arlington


From left: Hatzis, Dante, Saccotelli, Grossi.

Should the Chicago Bears relocate to Arlington Heights in the years to come, each of the four candidates running for three, four-year seats on the Mount Prospect Village Board have different thoughts on what kind of impact a Bears development would have locally, and what it would mean to Mount Prospect long-term.

Current Trustee Colleen Saccotelli believes a Bears move to Arlington Heights would have a positive impact on the community.

“More people visiting the region has the potential to increase patronage to our restaurants, stores, entertainment uses and hotels,” she said. “It is likely that many may take the train from Mount Prospect to the stadium in Arlington Heights. In that case, the village would need to make sure it had the proper parking regulations, fees, and enforcement in place.”

She said Mount Prospect would need to work actively with Arlington Heights to address any growing pains that may occur at the start of a new development.

Former trustee Eleni Hatzis said, if there is any effect, she does not think there would be a significant one on Mount Prospect.

“We may see more patrons enjoying our businesses, and a slight possibility of increased traffic,” she said. “Overall, I believe it would have a positive effect on the businesses of Mount Prospect.”

Vince Dante believes there will be negative and positive effects. “An increase in traffic will bring business, but also impact roadways and traffic,” Dante said. “With the Metra line running through Mount Prospect, there is potential for pre-game stops as well as satellite parking with shuttle services.

“Weekend visitors for games will need places to stay and we could potentially take advantage of hotel overflow. These are all still only ideas and would need to be more thoroughly discussed, but we will have to be open to all options and ideas.”

Dante said an intergovernmental agreement between the two towns to assist each other with infrastructure costs is an idea to be discussed as well.

Former trustee Bill Grossi said a move by the Bears to Arlington Heights would be positive, but would not be a great benefit for Mount Prospect.

“Most access to the stadium would go through I-355,” he said. “Village travel might be affected on game and special event days. There are only a limited number of games each year and other events would only occur occasionally. The racetrack operated many days each year without much effect on our village.”

According to Grossi, many interested in the subject are talking about restaurants and hotels, but he doesn’t believe there will be an additional need in Mount Prospect.

“I hope I’m wrong, but any effect will be years away,” he said. “Euclid, Northwest Highway, and Golf have all been resurfaced recently. The county and state are responsible for those roads, not the village. If traffic control is needed, I think Arlington Heights and the Bears should pay for the additional costs.”

 

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One response to “Mount Prospect Trustee Candidates Look Toward Future Should Bears Move To Arlington”

  1. Carl F says:

    Grossi is wrong, the revenue the Bears bring in will help businesses, including fuel, tollway use, shopping, restaurants, not mention the businesses in the Park community. Traffic won’t be that bad because traffic comes and goes north, south, east, west, nw,sw. ne, and se.

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