Arlington Economic Alliance

AGENDA ARLINGTON ECONOMIC ALLIANCE Community Room, 3rd Floor Arlington Heights Village Hall, 33 S. Arlington Heights Rd. Arlington Heights IL 60005 January 21, 2026 7:30 AM I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. November 19, 2025 IV. REPORTS A. Development Update B. Arlington Alfresco Update C. Meet Chicago Northwest- 2026 Restaurant Week Update D. “State of the Village” – Thursday, March 12 at Metropolis Ballroom-Update V. OLD BUSINESS A. Manufacturing Trade Show VI. NEW BUSINESS VII. OTHER BUSINESS VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT Anyone wishing to speak on a subject not on the Agenda may speak at this time. Please limit your comments to three minutes. IX. ADJOURNMENT Persons with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services, such as an American Sign Language interpreter or written materials in accessible formats, should contact the Health & Human Services Department, at 33 S. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005, healthmail@vah.com or 847/368-5760. Page 1 of 4  DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE ARLINGTON ECONOMIC ALLIANCE HELD ON NOVEMBER 19, 2025 AT 7:30 A.M. AT THE VILLAGE HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: Andrew Stengren – Chairman Kerri Oots Marc Poulos John Toliopoulos Tony Guido Tonia Etoh Terry Iverson Heather Larson Michael Mulder Brian Roginski Andi Ruhl STAFF PRESENT: Emily Rodman – Director of Planning & Community Development Kim Biederman – Economic Development Manager Darko Bojin, Assistant Planner ALSO PRESENT: None I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Andrew Stengren called the meeting to order at 7:30 AM. II. ROLL CALL III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 24, 2025 The meeting minutes of September 24, 2025 Arlington Economic Alliance meeting were reviewed. MR. MULDER MOVED AND MR. ROGINISKI SECONDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE DRAFT SEPTEMBER 24, 2025 ARLINGTON ECONOMIC ALLIANCE MEETING MINUTES. ALL ALLIANCE MEMBERS VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION. IV. REPORTS A. Development Update Ms. Rodman updated on the following: 1. International Plaza/Golf Crossing Development a. Plan Commission application has been received. b. Staff will be meeting with the commercial developer, Shorewood Development, later today. Urban Street will be developing the multi-family affordable housing. c. The RDA is still under negotiation. 2. Pep Boys (375 - 425 E. Rand Road) Plan Commission application is currently under review for redevelopment into two stand-alone commercial and restaurant uses and one multi-tenant commercial building. 3. Tasty Breads (600 W. University Ave) a. Currently an 81,000 SF vacant building. b. Received approval for Land Use Variation and Class 6b incentive. Page 1 Page 2 of 4  DRAFT c. Village Board will consider request for 13,000 SF building in December. 4. Zero Interest Loans The loan committee recently approved a $25K standard loan for EMH Motors (955 W. Dundee Road) for interior upgrades, primarily electrical in nature, along with new parking lot and light poles. 5. Class 6b Request for renewal from DevLinks (3933 Ventura) in January, 2026. B. Arlington Alfresco Ms. Rodman shared that two debriefing meeting have been held. One was with residents and the other with downtown businesses. The residents meeting was well received and stated that it keeps getting better each year was the overall sentiment. The business meeting received good feedback as well. Highlights were police related, Harmony Fest was not beneficial to the restaurants and that perhaps Alfresco could remain open during Harmony Fest. The Vail Promenade is still being discussed at the Board level. Plans are being taken to business to get their individual feedback on the design, and at a future date to the Chamber for review. A public meeting will be held in January as part of the grant requirement, currently waiting to hear from IDOT. C. Economic Alliance Budget Ms. Rodman shared that the budget for 2026 will be $16,900, up $200 from last year. In 2025, $5,500 of the allocated budget was spent. This year we left the budget roughly the same with the Alliance looking to hold a second event. Next year we will be kicking off the Downtown Master Plan and the Alliance may use these funds to host an event around the plan. $100k has been budgeted to complete the plan beginning early 2026. Commissioner Iverson expressed an idea of residents attending the International Manufacturing Trade Show, perhaps we could provide bus for the day in support of manufacturing in the Village. This is the 2nd or 3rd largest trade show in the world. Discussion amongst commissioners were in support of engaging students and parents in this type of support of this type of event in the community. Suggested leading the group through the trade show, educating, and providing transportation. More discussion to be held at the January meeting. Commissioner Stengren introduced Kim Biederman, and Ms. Biederman shared a short overview of her background. V. OLD BUSINESS - NONE VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Meet Chicago Northwest – Restaurant Week Commissioner Larson distributed packets of information regarding Chicago Northwest’s 12th Annual Restaurant Week, with 25 Arlington Heights restaurants taking advantage of the free promotion. There is a budget of $40K amongst eight communities, that begins in January. This year will be more selective to traditional menus, with a toolkit and template Page 2 Page 3 of 4  DRAFT being provided to help the restaurants create menus. A new visit guide will be printed and the ad campaign begins January 15, 2026. B. Proposed Date for “State of the Village 2026” Ms. Rodman shared that Mayor Tinaglia has agreed to do participate again this year and we are looking to pick a few dates to check calendars. Tentatively looking at March 10th or 12th, with preference of Thursday, at the Metropolis Ballroom. Ms. Biederman shared the idea of table sponsorship and decorate the tables around the room. It was brought to attention that there may not be enough room. Follow up at the January meeting. VII. OTHER BUSINESS None VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT None Commissioner Ruhl brought the idea to connect the Alliance with the community’s Public Arts to keep the Arts developing with the community. This initiative could potentially align with the Downtown Master Plan and our Arts Commission could help with your insight. Adjournment HEATHER LARSON MOVED AND ANDI RUHL SECONDED A MOTION TO ADJOURN. ALL ALLIANCE MEMBERS VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION. The meeting adjourned at 8:46 AM. Andrew Stengren, Chair Arlington Economic Alliance Prepared by Department of Planning & Community Development Page 3 Page 4 of 4