Mount Prospect candidates differ on Randhurst approach

In the race for Mount Prospect mayor, the fate of Randhurst Shopping Center takes center stage as one of the village's most important issues.

Candidates Patricia Bird, Ernie Lasse and Mayor Irvana Wilks are all in agreement that revamping Randhurst was a good idea. They differ on how the village should manage the process as the center comes on line.

The enclosed mall is being demolished to make way for an outdoor center, with key anchor stores being retained.

Bird said as mayor she'd work to help market the retail spaces. She's also try to influence the cost of the retail spaces, so businesses would be more apt to move in there.

"As mayor I'd be aggressively and assertively marketing it," Bird said. "If we are going to get Randhurst on its feet, we are going to have to believe in it."

Lasse said as mayor he'd do everything he could to speed the process along so the center would open before other major attractions like the proposed casino in Des Plaines and a Rosemont outlet mall in order to give the new Randhurst an edge over its competitors.

'I'd make sure there'd be no roadblocks (for the developer to finish)," Lasse said. "The first one up gets the advantage."

Wilks said the village will be promoting the center when it gets closer to the time that it's supposed to open next year. There will be a number of special events associated with that also, she said. She added the village picked a developer that has experience with managing retail centers, so it will be able to attract businesses that'd be a good fit.

"The developer has a good line on the stores," Wilks said.

Last year, village officials approved the future of the mall painted by development company Casto Lifestyle Properties. Last fall, the indoor portion of the mall with more than 80 stores closed.

The mall is being redeveloped into what'll be called Randhurst Village at the cost of about $150 million. The development will include a new theater, hotel, restaurant and retail and office spaces.

The center is scheduled to reopen in the summer of 2010.