Mayor Suess says the state of Wheaton is 'quite good'

Wheaton Mayor Phil Suess says the city continues to provide services residents expect, maintain a safe environment, make critical infrastructure investments and "conduct our affairs in a financially prudent way."

"The state of the city is quite good," Suess said during his first State of the City address Thursday at Cantigny Park.

After spending 14 years on the city council, Suess last April became Wheaton's first new mayor in 12 years. He succeeded Michael Gresk, who did not seek reelection.

More than 110 people attended the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce event. In addition to a video presentation, Suess was joined by City Manager Mike Dzugan and Jim Kozik, the city's director of planning and economic development, to answer questions from the audience.

Officials said there were a number of highlights in 2019, including the completion of the second year of the city's four-year downtown streetscape project.

Sewers, water mains and other infrastructure is being upgraded as part of the $35 million project. City officials say the project will create a more pedestrian-friendly environment with wider sidewalks, increased green space and new gathering spaces.

Downtown improvements planned for this year include new sidewalks, lighting, amenities and underground utilities on Main Street, from Seminary Avenue to Illinois Street.

The city also plans to complete an analysis of downtown parking.

In addition, the city council will work to update Wheaton's strategic plan. Through workshops and community meetings, officials will set priorities and refine the city's vision, values and goals for the next four years.

When asked about the city's focus, Suess said it will put more emphasis on outreach, working together and getting things done.

"The specifics, I think, fall into four categories," he said. "It's financial stability. It's keeping the community safe. It's investing in our infrastructure. And it's improving our services."

The mayor told the crowd of mostly business people that Wheaton is a business-friendly community.

"We want to create an environment in which people can be successful," Suess said. "We want to create an environment where people want to live here. They want to come here, raise their families."

He said Wheaton has pursued projects in downtown and other parts of town with the goal of making the city a more pleasant place to live.

"If people want to live here," Suess said, "the businesses are going to come."