Palatine officials paint positive picture for business leaders

The message was clear at the Palatine Area Chamber of Commerce's annual State of the Village address: Palatine has weathered the economic storm more successfully than most of its neighbors.

Between fewer layoffs, an upgraded bond rating, a tax increment financing district surplus and the lowest property tax levy increase in 13 years, the examples were plentiful in remarks by both Palatine Mayor Jim Schwantz and Village Manager Reid Ottesen to a roomful of business leaders at Hotel Indigo.

Ottesen even put a positive spin on the absence of development in the downtown area in the last 18 months.

"I feel blessed we didn't get stuck with a project halfway under construction that's not going anywhere so we have a shell of a building like you see in other communities," Ottesen said. "The downtown will be back. We just need the economy to come back."

Here are a few highlights residents and the business community can expect to see in 2010:

• This summer, construction begins on a project that will expand Palatine Road between Smith Street and Northwest Highway and also widen Plum Grove Road near the Palatine Road intersection.

Though the Illinois Department of Transportation's jurisdiction, Palatine is serving as lead agency in order to have more control and better communicate with affected businesses. That also means picking up the $11.8 million tab, most of which was secured through grants.

• Work starts on a new police station and a new fire station, which officials say are sorely needed projects given the cramped police headquarters and slow fire response times in the north.

Palatine's upgraded AA+ bond rating will save the village $1 million in interest payments on the police station alone. Ottesen said "There has never been a better time to build than right now because of construction prices."

• Next week, the village council will discuss implementing a business outreach initiative that will include meeting with businesses, starting an online business survey, promoting online resources and possibly starting a forum like current neighborhood advisory committees.

Included in the audience was Tom Morrison, who defeated incumbent state Rep. Suzie Bassi on Feb. 2 to secure the Republican nomination in the 54th House District race. Councilman Aaron Del Mar and Palatine Township Elementary District 15 Superintendent Dan Lukich also attended.