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Community Email

October 26, 2018

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For the Record with Dave Niemeyer

I wanted to take a few moments to discuss an exciting proposed project that will be a cornerstone to revitalizing Downtown Tinley.

The Boulevard at Central Station is a four-story, mixed-use development project that will sit on the three acres of vacant land south of the Oak Park Avenue train station. This project has been talked about by various village boards for more than a decade. Once complete, the Boulevard will consist of 165 residential units and nearly 30,000 leasable square feet of commercial space and will bring the density required to create a vibrant, successful downtown.

The development will be constructed in two phases. Phase One will include 66 residential units, with about 15,000 square feet of leasable commercial space and upscale amenities for the residents. Part of the commercial space will be dedicated to a white-tablecloth, full-service restaurant to complement all of the other great businesses in Downtown Tinley and make the area a prime destination. Phase Two will include 99 residential units, about 15,000 square feet of leasable commercial space, a 181-space parking garage and a swimming pool for the residents.

This project would not be possible without the New Bremen TIF District, which the Village created earlier this year to replace the aging Main Street South TIF. Projects like the Boulevard are why we created the New Bremen TIF and the Main Street North TIF in the first place – to attract high-quality developments and bring commercial development to Downtown Tinley. It’s important to note that each of the local affected taxing bodies supports this new TIF. These types of projects, along with the new plaza that will begin construction next year, promises to breathe new life into Downtown Tinley.

The development team, which consists of Hansen Development and Joe Rizza Auto Group, is requesting $2.2 million in upfront funds to assist with the estimated $3.3 million in public infrastructure improvements the location needs such as sidewalks, burying utility poles and water mains. These funds will be reimbursed to the Village as increment is generated by the project. Many of these improvements would have to be made by the Village regardless of this particular project due to aging infrastructure.

The developer has agreed to pay for all public improvements greater than the $2.2 million incentive, no matter the costs. Having the developer perform these improvements is beneficial to us as a Village because it’s more efficient for them to do the improvements now with the new development improvements, than to do them on our own. The developer can better coordinate the work of the various contractors and avoid conflicts that can result in construction delays. The estimated costs of the infrastructure improvements are detailed on pages 91 to 93 in the packet linked near the end of this article.

The developer is also requesting $4.8 million in tax increment development to assist with TIF-eligible expenses in the estimated $32.7 million private development. A major objective of this incentive is to help finance the commercial development portion of this project, which the Village believes is important to the growth and revitalization of the downtown area and the Village economy. It is also important to note that the TIF funds supporting this incentive will be generated by the success of the development and will not include any Village funds. Furthermore, there are timetables in terms of construction that incent the developer to construct the project in a timely manner.

The Village will share as much as 50% of the yearly TIF increment with the developer until the Village receives all of its $2.2 million in public infrastructure incentives back, after which the developer will receive up to the maximum $4.8 million based on documented TIF costs.

The other parts of the incentive include a permit fee cap of $100,000 and a land swap. The full details of the incentive package were included in the Village agenda packet for the Oct. 9, 2018 Committee of the Whole meeting, but I have included a direct link to this 114-page document for your convenience. The estimated value of the incentives is about $7.5 million.

Incentives for development projects like this are thoroughly reviewed by staff and the Village Board. They are the result of extensive meetings and negotiations.

I invite all of you to read more about this project on the Village’s Current Projects page. This project will be up for approval at the Nov. 6 Village Board meeting.

Until next time, have a great Halloween and be sure to visit us at the annual Boo Bash, happening from noon to 3 p.m. this Sunday in Zabrocki Plaza.

Get spooked at this year's Boo Bash!

It'll be a spooky good time when the Village hosts its annual Boo Bash from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28 at the Oak Park Avenue train station, 6700 South St., Tinley Park.

Activities will include spooky hayrides, games, crafts, DJ entertainment, a costume contest with prizes, a haunted maze, a magic show, a pumpkin putty experiment, dance lessons and a story time. Food and beverages will be sold.

Please note that due to construction on South Street, Boo Bash will be held in the north parking lot this year.

The Village would like to thank this year's Boo Bash presenting sponsors, which include Joyful Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, Southwest Synergy Dance, Massage Envy Tinley Park and Bettenhausen Automotive.

For more information, please see the Boo Bash flyer, call (708) 444-5678 or visit the Village website.

Handy tips for a safe Halloween

Trick-or-treating hours in Tinley Park will be from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31. Follow the below tips to make sure your entire family has a safe Halloween this year!

Look both ways before crossing the street, and use crosswalks wherever possible.
Stick to familiar areas that are well-lit.
Always stay in groups!
Carry a flashlight, and fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.
Enter homes only if you’re with a trusted adult.
Only visit well-lit houses.
Never accept rides from strangers.
Have your parents check your treats when you get home.

Parents also are encouraged to be aware of registered sex offenders who may reside in their neighborhoods to ensure that children avoid these locations. The Sex Offender Registry is available online.

Electronics recycling event this weekend

eWorks ESI will host an electronics recycling collection event for residents and businesses from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 27 at the Tinley Park Public Works Department, 7980 W. 183rd St.

Accepted items include computers and associated peripherals, office equipment and products, small home appliances, home improvement products and home entertainment items. Please note that there will be a donation fee for all televisions and monitors.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the developmentally disabled.

For more information, please call (217) 364-7543 or visit www.eworksesi.org.

Tinley Fire Department honored at luncheon

Tinley Park resident Robbin Wagner recently won a recipe contest presented by the Food Network and Firehouse Subs. In addition to winning cash, Robbin also received a $5,000 donation in her honor to the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides funding, lifesaving equipment and educational opportunities to first responders and public safety organizations.

Several years ago, the Tinley Park Fire Department helped Robbin and her family after their house was hit by lightning. She was extremely touched after witnessing firsthand how Tinley Park first responders put their own lives in danger to protect the community, and asked the foundation to arrange a celebratory luncheon for the department Oct. 26 at the Firehouse Subs restaurant in Orland Park.

Robbin’s $5,000 donation will be directly allocated to public safety departments in the Chicago area.

Village Hall an early voting site

Tinley Park Village Hall, 16250 S. Oak Park Ave., is an early voting site for the Nov. 6 Gubernatorial General Election. Early voting runs now through Nov. 5 in the Rooms C and D of the Kallsen Center. Early voting hours are:

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Now through Saturday, Oct 27

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 28

9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 29 to Friday, Nov. 2

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 3

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 4

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 5

Early voting in Will County will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 22 to Friday, Oct. 26 and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m Monday, Oct. 29 to Friday, Nov. 2 at Frankfort Township, 11000 W. Lincoln Highway, Frankfort.

For more information, please call Village Hall at (708) 444-5000 or visit www.tinleypark.org/voting.

Current Projects update

Construction projects in the Village continue to make progress. Below are a few highlights on several key projects in town:

183rd Street: As of early this week, the 183rd Street resurfacing project was 99.9% complete. Remaining work includes reinstalling the stop sign at Millennium and general clean up. Work should be 100% done this week.
Oak Park Avenue: Iroquois Paving has completed all pavement removal on the west side of Oak Park Avenue and began excavating to the subgrade elevation. The concrete subcontractor, Rula's Enterprises, is scheduled to begin removing and pouring curb and gutter on the west side of the roadway this week.
Convention Center Parking Lots: Work is 65% complete, and the south lot is complete and open to traffic. The contractor performed all concrete work in the main lot last week and paved the south half of the main lot late last week. Striping was completed this week. The contractor will perform the remainder of the main lot and access road from Oct. 29 to 31.
South Street: Work is progressing on schedule. All roadway improvements have been completed except for pavement striping, which is slated to be done at the end of this week. Following that, the only remaining work will be restoration.

For more updates, please visit www.tinleypark.org/CurrentProjects.

Now showing on Tinley TV

Tinley Park Television broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week on Comcast Channel 4 and U-Verse Channel 99. Tune in today, or watch select programs on your own time by visiting the Village's YouTube Channel.