Scott hired to help with village's redevelopment projects

With its "stately buildings and historic downtown," West Dundee has always been a charming community in Tim Scott's eyes.

Now he'll be a key participant in helping it flourish.

Early last month, the Village of West Dundee hired Scott as its new community development director. Scott assumes his new role on Monday after wrapping up a decade of work as director of economic development and urban design for the Village of Hinsdale.

"I thought it might be time to try to help another community and village board achieve their goals," said Scott, a Mount Prospect resident who has lived in the Northwest suburbs most of his life. "(West Dundee) has always struck me as a very special place."

In April, the village board adopted a redevelopment plan for downtown West Dundee. Additionally, a plan for renovating Spring Hill Mall, which is located primarily in West Dundee, is in the works.

Village Manager Joe Cavallaro said Scott will have a crucial role in bringing those plans to fruition.

"We're very excited to have Tim join the West Dundee staff," he said. "We think his expertise and experiences within economic development are going to be very beneficial in some of the ongoing projects that the village is involved in."

Scott's salary is $105,000.

The first step, Scott said, will be to immerse himself in the community and become acquainted with the village's planning efforts.

"I have a lot of listening to do, certainly," he said.

Urban planning and community development is a second career for Scott. He first worked in marketing after receiving his first master's degree in business administration from DePaul University.

He always had a passion for urban planning, he said, so he received a second master's degree, this time in urban planning and policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

In his new position, Scott said he is faced with a new set of challenges and a new set of planning endeavors.

"I will work on the behalf of the residents to preserve the elements of the community that they hold near and dear to their hearts ... in a manner that will allow the community to expand upon its economic strengths," he said. "Preserve and enhance. That's the way I like to look at things."