A Town of Normal fixture is retiring after four decades in municipal government, and the town is re-aligning leadership in the wake of that.
Inspections Director Greg Troemel oversaw $3 billion in commercial and residential growth. His career goes from the construction of the Mitsubishi plant to Rivian. It includes construction of:
- 400 apartment buildings and 5,100 new apartments
- 67 residential subdivisions with more than 5,700 new single-family homes
- 5 Unit 5 schools including two high schools
- Heartland Community College campus
- Uptown redevelopment
- College Hills Mall teardown and development of The Shoppes at College Hills
- 100+ restaurant/food operators coming and going
- 7 churches
- 11 hotels and 1,200 new rooms
- 6 assisted living centers
“I’ve worked with people all along the spectrum, from those who’ve been down and out to multi-millionaires, and everything in the middle,” said Troemel. “This has helped me appreciate life and recognize we’re all in different places at different times. Everyone has ‘stuff’ in their lives. We need to remember that.”
Over the four decades, the town population has grown by more than 20,000 residents. When he began there was no internet, no workplace computers, and no cell phones. Inspections workers used CB radios to communicate away from the office.
Troemel said sometimes it feels like the code industry can’t help but make things more complicated.
“Without setting the rules (codes) aside, figure out a way to help people,” said Troemel.
City Manager Pam Reece said Troemel is a dedicated public servant committed to doing what’s best for the Town and its residents.
“It has been my honor to work with him for much of his career,” said Reece. “He leaves behind a great legacy.”
His career spans all three city managers the town has had.
“I will miss the crazy stories associated with construction and development. It’s a great industry, and you truly can’t make some of this up.”
After Troemel goes at the end of the year, Town Planner Mercy Davison will become Director of Planning and Zoning, and Facilities and Energy Management head Mark Clinch will become Inspections and Facilities Director.
