Chicago Heights Mayor Planning Major Industrial Project on Lower East Side

Driving around the lower east side of Chicago Heights could be depressing for some. In some areas it could be called a graveyard of old industry, with many properties no longer in operation.

Mayor David Gonzalez had me accompany him on one of those drives as he explained his vision to revitalize the area.

“There’s a lot of talk that manufacturing has gone overseas, but I see it coming back,” Gonzalez said.

At the April 2 meeting, the unanimously approved a $9,000 contract with Orland Park-based Ginkgo Planning, to build a design for an industrial park to be developed at 1700 Wentworth Avenue.

This all started with a proposed expansion of the century-old Heights-based forging company but has turned into something much bigger.

“When we started looking at Funk Linko we did see that there were a lot more opportunities out there than just looking at one particular site,” Gonzalez said. “I see there are so many opportunities, and Chicago Heights is in a great place to be because of the rail spurs and the close proximity to the expressways. We’re looking at a bigger picture.”

Because multiple railroad tracks pass through the area, Gonzalez said he believes it is prime territory for manufacturing companies to call home.

Along with the 8,000 square-foot expansion of Funk Linko's current facility, the project is expected to include the construction of least two 100,000 square-foot manufacturing centers and a third 60,000 square-foot manufacturing center.

But beyond the work with Funk Linko, the City hopes to spark the interest of several other manufacturing companies.

"Such a development will clearly attract further development as the project moves forward," Corporation Counsel T.J. Somer said in a note to the Chicago Heights City Council. "This project may change the face of the industrial portion of the city's east side."

Ferhat Zerin, the founder of Ginkgo Planning, touted her company’s resume when discussing its role in the design of the industrial park.

“We do a lot of campus planning, industrial park planning, and here we are very delighted to see that there is a much larger vision (in Chicago Heights),” Zerin said.

Zerin went on to explain the process by which Ginkgo hopes to help Chicago Heights draw in manufacturing companies to this new industrial park.

“This is not a traditional planning project where we come back with a 100-page report for you to read.” Zerin said. “We hope to have a very compelling document that will help (Chicago Heights) market the site.”

Gonzalez said the city will receive the design for the area from Ginkgo in one month. It will require building sewers and roads on undeveloped land south of Wentworth Avenue, but the Mayor said the city will apply for several grants at the county and federal level to pay for building up the infrastructure.

"Once we get the design, then it’s our job to go try to get these grants funded and get these infrastructures done and complete the project," Gonzalez said. "But we need the design before we ask for the money."

Funk Linko CEO Vicki Linko has gained support for the project from U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, Gov. Pat Quinn, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and City of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, according to Somer.

Linko has also met with to work on the initial 8,000 square-foot expansion.

The City's planning committee for the project includes Somer, Chief of Staff Lisa Aprati, Economic Development Director Joe Kudra, Planning and Zoning Director Cleto Bonanotte, Senior Project Manager at Robinson Engineering Joe Nordman and Vicki Linko of Funk Linko.

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