Starting with William H. Dunton, who convinced a railway in the early 1850s to run a direct line through his property (and his living room), Arlington Heights has been a town of movers and shakers. Nearly 150 years after Dunton’s farmland made way for the rail line, Arlington Heights’ rising downtown is setting a new pace for suburban redevelopment.
STOP AND GO: THE 35-YEAR EFFORT TO REBUILD THE DOWNTOWN
MAY 3, 1965
Mayor John G. Woods tells the Arlington Heights Village Board that he thinks revitalization of the downtown is a “leading concern” for the coming year. The village conducts a study of the downtown Central Business District.
1970
U.S. Census finds that Arlington Heights’ population has surged from 27,878 in 1960 to 64,884, the largest growth the town has ever experienced.
1972
The Central Business District report is unveiled. Highlights include proposals to build two parking garages and a pedestrian mall.
1978
Plans for Arlington Heights’ first high-rise, an 18-story residential and commercial tower, falter over financing problems.
1979
Unresolved financing problems dog proposal for 10- and 13-story buildings at Dunton Avenue and Miner Street.
1981
Financial woes kill a third high-rise project, Lakewood Towers, on Campbell Street.
– On March 2, the Village Board, led by Mayor James T. Ryan, approves designating downtown Arlington Heights as a tax-increment financing district.
1984
Dunton Tower Apartments, a 15-story complex with an attached parking garage, is approved by the Village Board. The first major development project spurs hopes of revitalizing downtown. It opens three years late.
1990
A proposal for a luxury condominium complex on Vail Avenue is abandoned as a sluggish economy takes its toll.
1991
Village officials find R. Franczak & Associates and Norwood Builders to construct the 10-story condominium project at Vail and Northwest Highway.
1994
The 10-story condo project sells out its 61 condominiums before the building opens. This success reignites interest in developing downtown.
1995
Arlington Town Square, a $55 million, two-block project, is proposed by Joseph Freed and Associates. The Village Board, led by Arlene Mulder, approves the Town Square project two years later, over objections of residents.
1996
Village Green, a $69 million, three-building complex that would have about 260 condominiums, is proposed by A&T Investments.
1998
Village Board gives developers an $8.1 million subsidy for the Village Green project.
– Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, proposed by Mark Anderson of Banbury Properties of Arlington Heights, is approved by the Village Board. The board gives the developer $3.1 million to help build the $22 million project
– The Village Board approves a new Metra train station and the Campbell Courte condominiums.
1999
Construction begins on the Metropolis complex, which will house a theater for live perform-ances, a restaurant, jazz club, ballroom, residential lofts, and retail and ofce space.
– In December, the movie theaters at Arlington Town Square open.
2000
More restaurants and shops open in Arlington Town Square.
– Metropolis is scheduled to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony April 28, with the grand opening May 5.
– First residents are expected to move into all condominium buildings starting in the summer.
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Sources: Village of Arlington Heights Department of Planning and Community Development, A&T Investments, Norwood Builders, John Herman, Chronicle of a Prairie Town: Arlington Heights, llinois; Joseph Freed & Associates
Chicago Tribune/Chris Soprych and Maria T. Galo
