Nelson remembers good and bad of years as Rolling Meadows mayor

Rolling Meadows has become known around the world — even in Inner Mongolia — and attracted many companies during his terms as mayor, said Ken Nelson, who steps down Tuesday after eight years in office.

On the other hand, the inability to redevelop the former Dominick's site on Kirchoff Road in the city's downtown is a big disappointment for the man who spent the maximum two terms as mayor after putting in the same amount of time as an alderman.

He mentioned Komatsu, a Japanese manufacturer that moved its American headquarters to Rolling Meadows in 2005, saying the company came at least in part because it was impressed with the city.

“Our borders are no longer limits,” Nelson said. “Businesses in Rolling Meadows deal on a worldwide basis and develop world markets.”

The town has 24,000 residents, but during the day its businesses swell that to 60,000.

The city is blessed with great access to transportation, said Nelson, and the lack of rail in Rolling Meadows has led him to push for the proposed Star line, whose future he admits is murky.

Nelson still hopes the Dominick's property will be redeveloped, and said the city has until the end of the year to commit $750,000 in remaining Tax Increment Financing money for things like demolition or improving infrastructure.

“We have been so close on a couple of occasions,” he said. “One developer was ready to go” when the economy failed.

Other development in the downtown area has been positive, including Kimball Square condominiums and the more than 90 percent occupancy at the Jewel Center. Local businesses are as important as the international ones, Nelson said.

In his opinion, Rolling Meadows needs more affordable housing so that people who grow up in the area and become teachers or obtain similar jobs can afford to buy there. Housing for all levels of employees is important to companies considering a move, he said.

Cooperation with neighboring communities was a breakthrough, said the mayor. During his time in office five communities joined to pass a smoking ban before the state did. And regional fire and police departments cooperate, with each specializing in different expensive services to prevent duplication.

“There was a time we were filing lawsuits,” said Nelson.

While the city has made dramatic cuts in its budget due to economic problems in recent years, “major services have remained intact,” he said.

The mayor said he is very disappointed the Police Neighborhood Resource Center closed for economic reasons, but noted a few services provided by other organizations remain. It was the first such center in the Northwest suburbs, and inspired 35 around Northeast Illinois, said Nelson.

He believes the center resolved many problems, and he hopes there are not future consequences because it closed.

The city continues to be known for its public services, said Nelson, including refuse collection, snow removal and police and fire protection. He said he could not talk about why City Manager Sarah Phillips left the city after about two years. The city council paid her a $81,000 severance last year and signed a statement indicating nothing more would be said.

Nelson owns a Midas franchise in Libertyville, but wants residents to know the part-time position of mayor averaged 25 to 30 hours a week, sometimes much more.

He will continue public service as a member of the citizens advisory committee for a group that does metropolitan area planning. And he volunteered to put his relationships with area legislators to use on behalf of Mayor-Elect Tom Rooney when special issues come up.