Nearly a decade after winning a lawsuit to take over a low-income apartment complex, the City of Joliet is debating just what type of housing they would like to see in the downtown area.
Mayor Terry D’Arcy and some on the Joliet City Council Tuesday debated whether low-income housing should be part of the riverfront in downtown as they discussed the city’s plans for Riverwalk Homes on the west side of Des Plaines River and across from downtown in the 300 block of Broadway. Tuesday’s meeting was for discussion purposes only as no votes were taken.
The low-income apartment complex was previously known as Evergreen Terrace, which would require demolition of some buildings and redevelopment of others to construct 177 residential units. That number is less than the 356 units initially proposed as the residents of other 179 units will receive rent subsidies or housing vouchers from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to move anywhere in the country if they do not want to stay in Joliet or Will County, per the agreement the city reached with HUD.
The city won a condemnation lawsuit in 2014 to buy Evergreen Terrace when it was privately owned as officials at the time cited deteriorating living conditions and criminal activity as reasons to take over the low-income housing complex. After gaining control of the complex three years later, the city changed the name from Evergreen Terrace to Riverwalk Homes.
Bob O’Dekirk, who was the city’s mayor prior to D’Arcy’s election in April, opposed Joliet taking over and managing a low-income housing project.
The $77 million project to fund costs associated with demolition and redevelopment would be funded mostly with tax credits from HUD. If Joliet does not follow through with the redevelopment plan, it will pit them against HUD as the federal agency reached a successful settlement with Joliet requiring continued low-income housing on the site and city could be charged with contempt of court.
D’Arcy said he wants to look at every option before proceeding with the redevelopment project that comes with a hefty price tag. Also, he said the riverfront section of downtown is a prime location that could spur new developments as the city is in the process of compiling a long-range comprehensive plan.
“I just want to make sure it is a fair deal for the city and fair deal for the residents,” he said. “There are a lot of lawyers and bankers who will make a lot of money (on this redevelopment) but won’t stay in Joliet.”
District 4 Councilman Cesar Cardenas said his concern is improving the conditions of people living in the complex.
“What is the quality of life we are bringing to residents?” he asked. “Is there a way for us to oppose the court mandate?”
mmayer@thetimesweekly.com
