The Wurlitzer building is one of two sights being actively considered for Contel’s multi-state regional headquarters.

Charles Rexroat, president and general manager of Contel’s Illinois Division, said Tuesday the telecommunication firm is negotiating to buy the Wurlitzer building, 403 Gurler Road, for its multi-state operation. Rexroat stressed a firm deal for the property is far from complete.

The Wurlitzer complex would include the building as well as the neigboring Notre Dame High School that is vacant.

“We’d like to pass on our thanks to the cities of DeKalb and Sycamore. We’ve worked very hard together and we’re very happy about how this has developed,” Rexroat said.

NIU wanted to buy the property for a number of years to use as a research complex or satellite campus.

Rexroat said he does not believe Contel is competing with NIU for the property and he is discussing the issue with NIU officials.

“This could possibly be a joint venture (between NIU and Contel), but we’ve just gone into negotiations with Briarwood Corporation so I won’t speculate at this point,” he said. Briarwood currently owns the property.

NIU President John La Tourette said he could not comment “for several days,” reiterating his statement from March 29 when The Northern Star reported the potential deal.

Tom Montiegel, NIU vice president for Development and Alumni Relations also refused comment.

Rexroat said Contel also owns property in Sycamore on Bethany Road that also is being considered as a potential site for the headquarters.

DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow said the Contel project will give the DeKalb area 100 jobs and relocate another 200 jobs to DeKalb.

Contel’s decision will enhance DeKalb’s chances of achieving greater economic and political growth through the 1990s, he said.

“In terms of sheer size, this could be the biggest acquisition DeKalb has made during my term,” Sparrow said.

Rep. John Countryman, R-DeKalb, said the Contel decision reinforces DeKalb’s position as the western hub of the Illinois Research and Development Corridor.

Countryman said Contel’s decision was probably based on the proximity of NIU and its engineering school to the Wurlitzer site as well as DeKalb’s reputation for being one of Illinois’ primary growth areas.

Contel’s presence will enhance that reputation considerably, he said.

Sparrow said the project also will result in the development of many new housing sites.

The project might attract as many as 300 new families to the DeKalb-Sycamore area, given the amount of potential economic growth that is likely as a result of Contel’s decision, he said.

“The amount of retail and commercial sales and the number of people affected by this project should be pretty substantial,” Sparrow said.

Contel anticipates the project will take at least a year to implement and an employee relocation program should be announced June 15.

DeKalb was competing with many other towns in Illinois, Indiana and Iowa for the headquarters location, Rexroat said.

Sparrow said he anticipates the project to create a substantial number of jobs for NIU students and alumni. He said it also should create numerous collaborative projects between NIU and Contel.