Chicago Street to be Opened, Parking Lot Built
Joliet & Will County partnership will support new courthouse, ease commute
JOLIET— The Will County Board today passed an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Joliet that will lead to the opening of Chicago Street, the construction of a new parking lot near Union Station, and the transfer of various parcels of land. The changes will support the new courthouse being built on the corner of Ottawa and Jefferson streets, while improving the City of Joliet's infrastructure.
"I'm glad we could come to this agreement with Mayor O'Dekirk, who has been a big supporter of our new state-of-the-art courthouse," said Board Speaker Jim Moustis (R-Frankfort). "It demonstrates how different levels of government can work together to the benefit of both the County and the City."
Through the agreement, the County will transfer a parcel of land to the City of Joliet between Washington and Jefferson streets, which will allow the City to connect existing portions of Chicago Street and open it up to through traffic. Since this move will eliminate some parking, the County and City will construct a new parking lot near Union Station.
"I'm glad we could come to this agreement with Mayor O'Dekirk, who has been a big supporter of our new state-of-the-art courthouse," said Board Speaker Jim Moustis (R-Frankfort). "It demonstrates how different levels of government can work together to the benefit of both the County and the City."
Through the agreement, the County will transfer a parcel of land to the City of Joliet between Washington and Jefferson streets, which will allow the City to connect existing portions of Chicago Street and open it up to through traffic. Since this move will eliminate some parking, the County and City will construct a new parking lot near Union Station.
To do so, Joliet will take over a County-owned parking lot and combine it with the City's current Union Station parking lot. The unified lot, constructed by the City, will have automated pay stations and be maintained by the County. Parking in the lot will be free on weekends, designated holidays, and after 4:00 p.m. on weekdays.
"As a resident of Joliet and a board member, I'm thrilled we could put this deal together," said Denise Winfrey (D-Joliet). "I think both City and County residents will find it easier to get around downtown and park, whether to visit our new courthouse or any of Joliet's many other attractions and businesses."
A few other properties will also change hands under the agreement. After remediating the building at 121 Chicago Street, the County will deed it to the City. Joliet will then demolish the building. The County will also deed a parking lot near Lafayette Street to the City.
“Will County is growing and will only continue to do so,” said Minority Leader Herb Brooks, Jr. (D-Joliet). “It's important we work with our local towns and cities, as we did through this deal with Joliet, to ensure no one suffers from growing pains.”
The agreement will also allow the County to install temporary barriers in street parking around the new courthouse during construction, to remove street parking around the new courthouse, to install planters, and to install streetlight improvements.
"The past few months have been big for capital improvement projects in Will County," said Ray Tuminello (R-New Lenox), chair of the Capital Improvements Committee. "I'm pleased we have the support of the City of Joliet as we continue to make Will County a top-notch place to live, work, and visit."
A groundbreaking for the new courthouse took place in December after the completion of the Public Safety Complex.
"As a resident of Joliet and a board member, I'm thrilled we could put this deal together," said Denise Winfrey (D-Joliet). "I think both City and County residents will find it easier to get around downtown and park, whether to visit our new courthouse or any of Joliet's many other attractions and businesses."
A few other properties will also change hands under the agreement. After remediating the building at 121 Chicago Street, the County will deed it to the City. Joliet will then demolish the building. The County will also deed a parking lot near Lafayette Street to the City.
“Will County is growing and will only continue to do so,” said Minority Leader Herb Brooks, Jr. (D-Joliet). “It's important we work with our local towns and cities, as we did through this deal with Joliet, to ensure no one suffers from growing pains.”
The agreement will also allow the County to install temporary barriers in street parking around the new courthouse during construction, to remove street parking around the new courthouse, to install planters, and to install streetlight improvements.
"The past few months have been big for capital improvement projects in Will County," said Ray Tuminello (R-New Lenox), chair of the Capital Improvements Committee. "I'm pleased we have the support of the City of Joliet as we continue to make Will County a top-notch place to live, work, and visit."
A groundbreaking for the new courthouse took place in December after the completion of the Public Safety Complex.
RSS Feed