Arlington Heights dedicates new village hall

Arlington Heights village officials Thursday turned the dedication of the new $31 million village hall into a tribute to former Mayor John G. Woods.

"That name reflects dedication to public service," Mayor Arlene Mulder said during a flag-raising ceremony at which about a dozen of Woods' family members were present.

The complex -- the fifth municipal complex in Arlington Heights' 121-year history -- is the cornerstone of the municipal campus that the village board agreed three years ago to name for Woods.

"It took us more than a decade," to complete, Mulder added. "The village hall was designed with great care and took a long time. But we're here."

An open house for the public will be held Saturday. Thursday's event was attended by several hundred dignitaries and employees.

Woods, who died in 2003 at age 81, was mayor when the village had less than one-third the population it has today. He led Arlington Heights during a key period of intense growth and envisioned a downtown that would be dominated by pedestrian traffic, setting the plate for what the community is today, said Jack Siegel, the 47-year village attorney.

Attendees saw an affectionate filmed tribute to Woods, who not only was village president for 10 years, but also who had a hand in much of what defines Arlington Heights, including Northwest Community Hospital.

The full-length, 25-minute version of "John G. Woods, Man of Vision" will be shown on Arlington Heights cable TV, said Nancy Kluz, community relations coordinator.

Siegel called Woods a "visionary," who "set the pattern" for the mayors who followed, including Mulder, Siegel said.

The U.S., state and village flags that were raised in front of the village hall Thursday were donated by former Mayor Ralph Clarbour and his wife, Mary, in honor of their son, Donald, who was killed in Vietnam Nov. 6, 1969.

Several Northwest suburban mayors were in attendance, including Al Larson of Schaumburg, Bill McLeod of Hoffman Estates, Ken Nelson of Rolling Meadows and Kerry Cummings of Glenview.

The new hall, a stately building of brick and stone, is about 75,000 square feet -- twice the size of its predecessor. The public spaces inside are roomy and warm, filled with abundant natural light from the large windows and skylights.

At the corner of Arlington Heights Road and Sigwalt Street, it's attached to a three-story garage and is part of a complex that includes Fire Station No. 1, which opened in 2006, and the police headquarters, which the village is studying rebuilding.

The building, which opened to the public in late January, was designed to be convenient for residents. The finance, health and building departments are all located on the first floor, providing easy access for residents to the services they use most often.

There's more public meeting space and a boardroom that can accommodate as many as 260 people.

During construction, village employees had been working out of a temporary location at Kennicott and Dundee roads.

Open house

The Arlington Heights village hall will welcome visitors of all ages 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at 33 S. Arlington Heights Road. You can:

• Take tours; learn about the services in each department.

• See displays of historical photographs, documents and memorabilia as well as village hall demolition and construction photos.

• View an informational display on former Mayor John G. Woods in the boardroom.

• Sign a commemorative banner that will be included in the time capsule. Take keepsake photos.

• Get free cholesterol and blood pressure screenings and pick up compact fluorescent light bulbs.

• Park free in the adjacent municipal garage.