Mayor: Rolling Meadows is trending upward

It's not all good news in Rolling Meadows, but Mayor Tom Rooney said the state of the city is trending upward.

During his annual “State of the City” speech to Rolling Meadows Chamber of Commerce members and community leaders on Monday, Rooney lamented that there is still no positive news about the long-vacant Dominick's site on Kirchoff Road. He called the empty shopping center “the biggest eyesore in the town,” but added that he remains confident Clark Street Development will bring in a project to improve the site.

During 2013's state of the city, Rooney happily announced plans for Uncle Joe's Tuscan Fresh Market to move into the property. That plan fell through just months later, adding to the city's frustrations.

“We're trying as much as we can,” Rooney said. “It's killing all of us to see it sitting there.”

Rooney chose Monday to focus more on the good news for the city. In 2014, he said, Rolling Meadows saw 89 new businesses open, and there are plans in the works for more in 2015.

That includes a new coffee and ice cream spot called Comet expected to open along Kirchoff Road this spring, he said. Comet will take the place of the former Ray's Auto, and will include an outdoor seating area and drive-through window.

Rooney highlighted another positive change for Kirchoff Road as work begins on Lexington Crossing, a luxury 2- and 3 bedroom townhouse community that will be built where a bowling alley closed two years ago.

“It's a sign of new life that there's going to be actual people there getting stuff done,” he said.

At the city level, Rooney said Rolling Meadows' finances are in a better position than years past. He highlighted bond rating upgrades from both Standard & Poor's and Moody's.

“We've been doing some really serious work over the last four years to get Rolling Meadows in better financial shape,” he said, showing charts that illustrate how the city's debt has decreased since 2010.

He admitted that a decision about the city's fire stations could increase debt, but said the city is better positioned to take that project on now than it was four years ago.

The improved financial state has also allowed the city to build its reserves back up to $6.1 million and essentially freeze property taxes this year.

“We're taking our foot off the gas,” Rooney said of the tax levy, which is just over $12.1 million, similar to last year's. “I think that's a sign of our financial health.”

Residents said they see the improvement, even if it's coming slowly.

“Things are definitely on the upswing,” said Michael Hutchens, a members of the Rolling Meadows Chamber of Commerce board of directors and employee at the city's largest employer, Northrop Grumman. “Things have been improving. I've seen it. I live and work here and I can tell, things are getting better.”

This also will be a year of celebration for Rolling Meadows, which was incorporated as a city 60 years ago this month, Rooney said.

Rooney is running unopposed for a second term as mayor in the April 7 municipal election.