Wheaton retains downtown consultant, but wants more recruiting

If matchmaking Wheaton's downtown with new businesses carried all the promises of a lonely heart seeking a perfect mate on Match.com, the city would have six months of free service coming to it.

Instead, trying to lure new companies to Wheaton will cost the city another $39,000.

The city council has directed its staff to keep its downtown retail consultant on the payroll for another year despite her not bringing even one new business to Wheaton's downtown last year.

The consultant, Cathy Maloney, and city officials say her first year on the job was about laying groundwork with existing businesses and gaining knowledge of what Wheaton has to offer.

Now, Maloney will be directed to spend more of her time recruiting new business to fill empty storefronts. She devotes 10 hours per week to the city on a contract basis. Her pay equals $75 an hour.

"I do think it's money well spent," Jim Kozik, planning and economic development director, said in promoting the retention of Maloney. "She's certainly spread the word about Wheaton and what we have to offer."

Kozik said Wheaton saw a lot of existing businesses move to other locations within Wheaton last year, but not a lot of open retail space for entirely new businesses to fill.

Councilwoman Liz Corry said she thought Maloney did an excellent job last year.

"I think our downtown is more vibrant than it's been in 20 years," Corry said.

But Councilman Phil Suess said he wanted to see more return to the city for what they pay Maloney.

"This has value to the extent that she is a retail recruiter," Suess said.