The Joliet City Council has made a decision on two controversial industrial development projects that have drawn ire from some residents.
The council Tuesday approved the NorthPoint proposal for annexation of 17 acres to construct a warehouse industrial park near the corner of Route 53 and Noel Road, and CenterPoint for a zoning change allowing an intermodal truck terminal planned at 4001 Brandon Road. Council members Cesar Guerrero and Suzanna Ibarra voted against the Northpoint annexation requests.
Last year, the Joliet City Council approved an agreement annexing 55 acres of land west of Manhattan Road to Joliet for the Northpoint intermodal hub project that stretches from Joliet to Elwood. The contiguity is needed to develop more than 900 acres of warehouses many opponents fear would only add more truck traffic through Joliet and the surrounding suburbs.
A lawsuit involving NorthPoint, CenterPoint and the City of Joliet is still ongoing. The issue is the NorthPoint project is on the border of the CenterPoint intermodal center. CenterPoint is pursuing legal action against both the city and NorthPoint by alleging that Joliet violated prior agreements when they approved plans submitted by NorthPoint that solely depends on the use of roads to be developed by CenterPoint for its project.
Last year, CenterPoint intermodal was named a Top 10 Industrial Park in Business Facilities magazine’s Metro Rankings report as millions of containers are shipped by Union Pacific and UNSF Railway each year through Joliet.
“With over 6,400 acres and 45 established industries, this largest master planned inland port is a pivotal economic powerhouse not only benefitting the local community, but also catalyzing growth across the entire Midwest region,” according to Business Facilities.
Prior to board action during the public hearing portion of the meeting, Joliet resident Boise Walker said she is worried Briggs Street could be used as an option for truck traffic if Northpoint is approved. Other residents also asked the city to focus on providing more housing and grocery stores in the south and east sections of Joliet instead of more warehouses.
“Is there a solid transportation plan to alleviate the truck traffic in Joliet, Will County and the south and east sides of Joliet?” Walker asked.
Prior to the votes, Mayor Terry D’Arcy told the crowd that he is working with Will County, Illinois Department of Transportation, and developers to alleviate traffic concerns of residents.
“We sit here representing 150,000-plus residents in the city,” said D’Arcy. “Our biggest concern is the truck traffic that is becoming a problem which needs to be solved.
“We need to come up with a solution that is beneficial to the city. We know we are the largest inland port, and it is not going to slow down. We are looking hard at long-term (transportation) plans. I want you to know we are working very hard to come up with a plan. The trucks are here, and we have to control them.”
