The proposed NIU Technology and Research Park has the potential to give DeKalb and surrounding areas a much-needed economic boost, said Tom Montiegel, NIU vice president of development and university relations.

Not only will the facility, (the former world headquarters of the Wurlitzer Piano Co., on Gurler Road) provide research and cooperative education opportunities for NIU students, it also will bring new companies to this area, thus creating at least 1,400 jobs and new income to be spent in the DeKalb area.

Montiegel said the initial asking price for the facility was $1.5 million. NIU officials were able to negotiate the price down to $400,000.

“We wore them down,” Montiegel said. “We initially asked for the building for nothing because we didn’t have the funds to buy it.”

He said Equitable Insurance Co., the owners, realized the university could not get the facility unless the price was dropped substantially.

Several NIU officials said they hope the new park will become the anchor for the high-tech corridor which runs along Interstate 88.

Other corridors such as I-90, 0’Hare International Aiport to Elgin, and I-94 going toward Wisconsin are prosperous areas because of corporations located there. These corporations include Motorola and Abbott Laboratories.

DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow said judging from the economic and industrial progress of Naperville, it would make sense for DeKalb to become the area’s anchor.

Because the facility is located in unincorporated Afton township, the property will be annexed into the city. The cost to the city is not clear at this time.

“We would treat it like any other development,” Sparrow said. This would include hooking up water and sewer lines in that area and the upgrading of roads leading to the property.

NIU will be responsible for actual restoration to the facility.

Sparrow said although the research park will provide many long-run benefits, he also is concerned about the short-run.

A city tax will be paid on the property, but Sparrow said this will not be a substantial amount.

“The city and the university will have to negotiate a payment plan in lieu of taxes—not just city taxes, but all the taxing bodies,” Sparrow said.

A press aide to Gov. Thompson said Tuesday the governor is expected to sign the Capital Development Budget Bill, which would include appropriations for the research park, by the end of this week.