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Park Ridge mayor outlines 2026 priorities: flood control, station upgrades, new waste contract and a citywide comprehensive plan
Summary
In his 2026 State of the City address, the mayor highlighted progress on the Mayfield flood control project, thanked staff for infrastructure work including Station 35, and noted priorities for 2026 including a police station feasibility study, adding a second social worker, Station 36 planning, a new waste hauler rollout on May 1, and a city comprehensive plan with a public visioning workshop on March 3.
The mayor opened the Feb. 17 State of the City address by thanking council members, staff and residents and by framing 2026 as a year to preserve Park Ridge's character while advancing key projects.
He told the council that the Mayfield flood control project is poised to move forward after the city cleared a critical property acquisition and is working toward an intergovernmental agreement with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD). "We have made progress with MWRD on an IGA that hopefully will be in front of council soon," the mayor said, urging neighbors to expect visible signs of progress.
Public safety priorities included comments from Chief Bob Campworth and Chief Sorenson. Chief Campworth said the department aims to add a second full-time social worker to improve coverage and expand programs, and plans a police station feasibility study to assess space and safety needs. Chief Sorenson said the new Fire Station 35 at Devon and Cumberland is a major recent achievement and that rehabilitation and planning for Station 36 (which will include training and an emergency operations center) will be a 2026 priority amid rising costs.
Finance staff reported Park Ridge finished 2025 in a strong fiscal position and noted a double-A-1 credit rating, which helped the city secure funding for Station 35 and a water tower renovation; finance also outlined plans to roll out updated online utility billing and increase process automation.
Public Works said crews managed an unusually snowy winter, completed a Dempster water tower rehabilitation (including a new Park Ridge exterior coating), and confirmed a transition to a new waste hauler, SBC, with an official rollout planned for May 1 that will add seasonal food-scrap pickup paired with yard waste. The department also listed a multi-year water-main replacement design on Northwest Highway from Glenview to Western starting this year.
Community Preservation & Development staff noted adoption of a new Uptown master plan for the B4 District and the launch of the city's first comprehensive plan since the 1990s; staff invited residents to a community visioning workshop on March 3 at Prospect Park. Administration staff said the city expanded meeting broadcasts, launched an employee self-service portal, and will pursue Uptown TIF sunset strategies for long-term benefit.
The mayor closed by reiterating the importance of Station 36 work to keep firefighters safe and by encouraging continued coordination with regional partners on infrastructure projects. The council did not take new formal votes on these projects at the meeting; next steps referenced included potential council consideration of an MWRD IGA and future bids and design work for station and water projects.
