TINLEY PARK, Ill. – The Board of Commissioners of the Park District of Tinley Park today joined with elected officials, labor and environmental organizations, community groups, special recreation associations, local officials, and a wide array of supporters to urge Gov. JB Pritzker to sign House Bill 3743 into law. The bill, passed by the Illinois General Assembly in May, would turn over the site of the former Tinley Park Mental Health Center to the Park District to finally begin cleanup and redevelopment of the long-vacant land.
Joining the Park District Board of Commissioners at a press conference today were Sen. Michael Hastings and Reps. Robert Rita, Debbie Meyers-Martin, and Justin Slaughter, as well as representatives of the Cook County Building Trades Council, Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau, Sierra Club, Illinois Environmental Council, South Suburban Special Recreation Association, Lincolnway Special Recreation Association, Tinley Park Bulldogs, Moraine Valley Community College, local youth organizations, south suburban school boards, and south suburban area park districts.
“We are excited and encouraged about the prospect of finally cleaning up and redeveloping the site of the former Tinley Park Mental Health Center,” said Lisa O’Donovan, Park District Board Commissioner and Chair of a new committee being established to oversee the project. “The vision for the site developed by our Board of Commissioners will benefit Tinley Park residents, schools and community organizations, and our plan will create new opportunities for the entire southland region to travel to and enjoy Tinley Park.”
HB 3743 would sell the land to the Park District for $1, saving Tinley Park taxpayers over $4.5 million to purchase the site, which the Village of Tinley Park had previously offered. Importantly, the bill prohibits any form of gaming at the site, supporting the feedback of residents.
“I’m very excited about the future of the Tinley Park-Park District. They are an excellent fiduciary to demolish the Tinley Park Mental Health Center and redevelop it into a first- class recreation facility,” said Sen. Hastings. “Working together with Representative Bob Rita, Debbie Meyers-Martin, area legislators and community leaders, we were able to accomplish something that needed to be done for the past decade. Moreover, park district board members Lisa O’Donovan, Ashley Rubino, Bernie O’Boyle, Don Cuba are a pleasure to work with and our community should be proud that they chose leaders who choose parks over politics. There are a lot of misrepresentations and falsehoods that have been made by the Village of Tinley Park regarding this project. I hope those misrepresentations never come to light for the best interest of the residents, and for those who made them. Further, I hope that the Village of Tinley Park will become a non-combative and participative partner.”
The Park District formally bid on the property, 7400-7600 W. 183rd St., last November and laid out its Phase 1 vision for redevelopment to meet the needs of Tinley Park residents and the entire south suburban area. Phase 1 includes a playground and sports facilities fully accessible for people living with special needs, multipurpose athletic fields, a domed sports complex with a full-size soccer field, a stadium with a track, a splash pad, concession stands, spectator stands, lighting, ample parking, as well as a pond, picnic areas and open green space. Since the plan was released to the public, it has gained widespread community support and private developer interest.
“It’s days like today that really make me proud to represent Tinley Park and the entire Southland region,” said Rep. Rita. “We are here because we have all worked together toward a common goal. This legislation to sell the land to the Park District and the $15 million available for cleaning up the site will be the first important steps to turning this eyesore into a destination for the community and the entire area. We are all excited to see the Governor sign this bill and turn this dream into reality.”
In addition to the passage of HB 3743, the new fiscal year budget for the State of Illinois includes $15 million in state grant funding for the Park District to begin the environmental cleanup of the vacant land.
More information and updates about the Park District’s plans can be found on its website.
