What's next for Randhurst? Mount Prospect mayoral hopefuls weigh in

Mount Prospect's three mayoral hopefuls say changes to Randhurst Village could help reverse the shopping center's fortunes.

The center recently announced the addition of a HomeGoods store, but has suffered significant losses in recent years with the departures of Carson Pirie Scott, Bed Bath & Beyond and World Market, along with the pandemic's impact on movie theaters and restaurants.

Current village trustees Paul Hoefert, Colleen Saccotelli and William Grossi are running for mayor in the April 6 election. Incumbent Mayor Arlene Juracek is not seeking reelection.

Hoefert said the village needs to find ways to help Randhurst and might consider allowing residential or other uses on the property

"At Randhurst, when we get a few name entities in there, others follow, because they locate next to those name entities," he added. "So you could see Randhurst, which is struggling a bit - it's not horrible, it's struggling - but you can see, you get a few names in there and all of a sudden, all the spaces start to fill up."

Saccotelli said village officials need to "have a serious talk with the owners" to understand their plans for the center.

"I think it's going to mean having a hard look at what the state of retail is," she said. "Maybe we need more events-based, activity-based things going in there, versus just straight up retail."

Trustee William Grossi said the center may need a whole new philosophy. Besides retail, there is an opportunity to work with museums and cultural institutions in Chicago to bring a satellite facility to Randhurst.

"Mount Prospect is located in an ideal location, close to the train, close to the North Shore, and we are shortchanging ourselves," he said.

"We have an opportunity with that space at Carson's to bring in some specialty retailers that are smaller, that are maybe on Michigan Avenue," Grossi added. "Get them out here. Give them some tax incentives."