On the cornerstone of the Allstate Arena rests a bronze plaque bearing the likeness of Rosemont Mayor Donald E. Stephens, and the inscription: "Mayor Donald E. Stephens, For your leadership, perseverance, foresight and dedication to a dream. Citizens and friends of Rosemont. May 17, 1980."

The plaque was unveiled at the formal opening of what was then known as the Rosemont Horizon.

While the words are a bit adulatory, they are remarkably accurate in summarizing the attributes Stephens needed to build the arena.

Stephens had to spend 10 years persuading, prodding, cajoling and arm-twisting his many critics and opponents to accomplish his vision of building the first major sports and entertainment arena outside the Chicago city limits.

Rosemont Mayor Donald Stephens, who was the driving force in the creation of the former Rosemont Horizon 20 years ago, says the reopened Allstate Arena fits with his vision of making Rosemont an entertainment mecca.

"There were so many people who said it couldn't been done," Stephens said. "Some people thought I was crazy. Some were working against me so it wouldn't happen."

But it did happen, and since the grand opening on May 17, 1980, the arena has gone on to prove its viability in the marketplace, hosting top shows, ranging from hit rock groups to professional and college sports to ice shows and the circus.

Now, almost 20 years later, Stephens is the driving force behind the second grand opening of the facility - this time as the Allstate Arena.

Closed most of the summer for a $20 million renovation project, the arena now has added space, improved seating and a fresh facade to go along with its new name.

This time, Stephens, 71, the mayor of Rosemont since its inception in 1956, is enjoying the experience.

"When we built it, we didn't know what we had. Now we know what we have - a major venue in the market," Stephens said.

Because of the arena's reputation, it was easy for the village of Rosemont to secure most of the $20 million it needed for remodeling. Allstate Insurance Company paid $10 million for the right to place its name on the building for 10 years. And a new promoter, SFX Entertainment, paid $8 million for the right to book acts at Allstate Arena and the companion Rosemont Theater.

"It is a partnership that will benefit all three parties. SFX will profit by having two outstanding venues to book top acts. Allstate will gain increased recognition in the Chicago area. And Rosemont will garner additional revenues to serve residents," Stephens said.

The smoothness in which such an agreement was reached is a far cry from the deal Stephens strapped together to build the Rosemont Horizon.

He said the idea was first hatched in the early 1970s, when 63 homeowners, living on what is now the arena site, asked him to buy their houses.

"They were living along a runway at O'Hare. The city of Chicago didn't buy their houses, so they asked me," Stephens recalled.

Mulling over the possibilities, Stephens struck upon the idea for an arena after hearing that the Chicago Cougars, a minor league hockey team, was looking to leave the Chicago Amphitheater for a new home. Cougar executives said they would be interested if Rosemont had a stadium.

"But as soon as the word 'arena' popped up, the homeowners suddenly wanted more money for their houses," Stephens said. "We spent eight years in court."

By the time the case was settled, the Chicago Cougars had folded. The village of Rosemont had issued $4 million in bonds to acquire the houses, but had no tenant for a stadium.

This setback didn't stop Stephens. He moved forward with his plans, paying noted architect Helmut Jahn $750,000 to design an arena. After reoccurring disagreements over design and cost, Stephens hired village architect Anthony Rossi to design the building. Rossi continues his relationship with Stephens today, responsible for the renovation design.

But in order to secure the $19 million necessary to complete the project, Stephens needed acts for the arena. The effort was made more difficult because stadium operators in Chicago were working behind the scenes to persuade acts to avoid Rosemont, Stephens said.

News of his struggles leaked to the press, which questioned Rosemont's actions.

"They kept asking why a village of 4,000 people wanted to build a 20,000-seat stadium," Stephens said. "They said we had no business doing it."

He remembers in particular a stinging commentary from the late Len O'Connor, a fixture on the 10 o'clock news on WMAQ-TV Channel 5.

"He said the stadium owners in Chicago would never let it happen," Stephens said. "Then he closed saying, 'There will never be a stadium in Rosemont, and I am Len O'Connor.'"

Finally, after much negotiation, Stephens struck a deal with promoter Irving Feld to bring the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus to the arena. Soon, DePaul University wanted to bring its popular men's basketball team. Jam Productions followed with an agreement to book concerts. The project was moving again.

Then tragedy struck during construction, when on Aug. 13, 1979, the roof of the Rosemont Horizon collapsed, killing five workers. Wind gusts, jet turbulence and structural faults were all suspected as possible causes, but the ultimate reason for the accident was never determined.

"It was a terrible mess. Five people I knew very well died in there," Stephens said.

After a proper period of mourning, Stephens was working hard to secure another $4 million line of credit to start building again.

"We really had to build the arena twice," Stephens said. "But we got it done."

Preparing for the grand opening, Stephens even took some time to poke fun at broadcaster Len O'Connor, who predicted the stadium would never be built.

"I sent Len O'Connor a note saying, 'Come see the stadium in Rosemont, and I am Don Stephens.'"

The arena has hosted some memorable shows over the past two decades, and Stephens has attended many events.

He remembers opening night, and the promoter being excited over the first act he booked.

"He called me and said, 'I've got some great news. I got Kenny Rogers,'" Stephens recalled. "I said, 'Who is Kenny Rogers?' I went out and got a tape to find out who he was."

A few days later, the promoter called again.

"He said, 'I got George Burns,'" Stephens said. "I said, 'Him I know.'"

He arranged to have dinner with the comedian, and Burns had one request: bring two young girls.

"So I brought two young girls and they sat on either side of him during dinner," Stephens said. "He was a perfect gentleman. He was well behaved. He just liked to have young girls to talk to while he ate dinner."

A few years later, the Rolling Stones appeared, and Stephens was hospitalized after minor surgery. So he hired a private ambulance to drive him to the show.

"I'm not a Rolling Stones fan, but this was a big event and I couldn't miss it," Stephens said.

He remembers the Grateful Dead playing there, and the band's followers, known as Dead Heads, camping out in the parking lot. He remembers Frank Sinatra being a demanding performer, requiring a particular brand of bourbon in his dressing room.

Stephens remembers opera singer Luciano Pavarotti demanding that the air conditioning be shut off because it was too noisy.

"Here he wants the air conditioning shut off and planes are flying overhead," Stephens said.

He remembers performer Bette Midler asking her audience, "What crazy SOB built this place next to a runway?" And after the show introducing himself to Midler by saying, "Hi, I'm the crazy SOB."

Now Stephens is ready to begin a new chapter, this time with the Allstate Arena. He is excited about the improvements to the building because he is able to add the touches he couldn't have the first time.

So patrons will notice wider aisles and lobby areas, more washrooms, cushioned seating on the lower level. Future plans call for cushioned seating throughout the stadium, and acoustic improvements that would please both Pavarotti and Midler.

"When we built that building, we only had so much money. Now money isn't an issue, and we're making the kind of improvements that will make it a more enjoyable place for entertainment," Stephens said.

"When people go the Allstate Arena, they are going to notice that it is a much better venue," Stephens continued. "And we're going to continue to improve it. It has always been our intention to make it the premier entertainment facility in the Chicago area."