A new car wash in Joliet in less than one month said a similar business operating nearby is the last thing the community needs.
The Joliet City Council Tuesday in a way agreed with the concerns as the request for special use permit for Tidal Wave Auto Spa, an automatic car wash, at 1351 S. Route 59, failed to garner a second for the vote to be taken. Since there was no second on a motion to approve the request, the proposal died on the council floor.
Craig Nelson, chief operating officer for Wash U at 1801 S. Route 59, said there’s already other car washes in the area, including another business less than two miles away.
“I’m a believer of capitalism, but we have invested about $5 million in the location,” said Nelson. “It is not a very good use of this type of business in the area (referencing Tidal Wave Auto Spa).”
Nelson said car washes do not generate sales taxes for Joliet.
“I definitely recommend the council not allow a third identical car wash to open next to each other,” he added.
If it was approved, Tidal Wave Auto Spa would not only have a car wash, but also a vacuum stall area.
In other news, the Joliet City Council approved a resolution bestowing an honorary street name of Denise Winfrey Way for East Maude Avenue between South Richards Street and Neal Avenue.
Winfrey, a Democrat who serves District 6 in Joliet, has been on Will County Board since 2009. She attended Joliet public schools and was also elected president of National Association of Counties in 2022.
The city council also unanimously approved changes to its tobacco licenses by requiring a provision to sell other nicotine products like vape and electronic cigarettes.
Beth Beatty, new City Manager, who officiated her first meeting said the new classification of tobacco licenses also raises fees and restricts locations where these products can be sold.
The amended code established a fee of $1,000 for the yearly renewal of tobacco licenses and other provisions to sell vape products and electronic cigarettes.
mmayer@thetimesweekly.com
