Hazel Crest Opposes Calumet Country Club Industrial Park Plan

HOMEWOOD, IL — Hazel Crest Mayor Vernard Alsberry along with the Hazel Crest Board of Trustees gave a statement Tuesday night after a closed session in an emergency board meeting, condemning the Calumet Country Club development. The statement, shared on Facebook live, was released one day before the continuation of the Homewood Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.

The Homewood Village Board voted 6-0 at its board meeting in January, approving a controversial settlement that may soon bring an industrial park to the former Calumet Country Club in Homewood. The vote settled pending litigation between W & E Ventures, LLC (Diversified Partners) and the Village, to disconnect the country club from Homewood. The former country club parcel is located at the northwest corner of Dixie Highway and 175th Street. About 116 acres sit in Homewood; the rest remain in Hazel Crest.

"The Village of Hazel Crest strongly believes that the Southland community should work together in the best interest of our region and our people. We also strongly believe that our communities should not be exploited by outside interests," Alsberry said. "Our board has reviewed the summary of the settlement agreement between Homewood and Diversified. We have also read Diversifies's proposal for the Calumet Country Club property. We do not welcome what Diversified is proposing, and do not believe it is in the best interest of our region."

Alsberry said that he, along with Hazel Crest officials, were shocked to learn that settlement terms made between Homewood and Diversified included allocating $100,000 "to sue the village of Hazel Crest" if it chooses to exercise its property rights. "This is beyond bad business. It is downright immoral and insulting to our community. Enough is enough," he said.

Alsberry added, "Hazel Crest will not consider annexing this property based on this development and this proposed development plan. We do not want to do business with this developer." The mayor then called on Homewood to join forces with Hazel Crest and work with Cook County and Illinois, to make the property "available to all Southland residents."

Lask week, Homewood Mayor Hofeld pointed a finger at Hazel Crest officials, saying they're to blame for the terms of the settlement to end Diversified's plans to disconnect from the Village of Homewood— which includes rezoning the property, the creation of a TIF district and the allocated funds to have the main entrance of the site go through Hazel Crest’s acreage, at the Dixie Highway side of the property.

Hofeld said the village did not want to agree to the development either, and spoke with Alsberry on multiple occasions, saying Alsberry said he stands with Homewood against the development. Hofeld then said Alsberry seemed to have changed his mind as time went on. The Homewood mayor said that if the project didn’t advance within the village that Diversified would annex to Hazel Crest and complete the project regardless.

"The fate of Calumet Country Club was decided when the club was sold to the developer. The distribution center is not what we wanted to see on this site. But again, we have very little choice" Hofeld said. "Regardless, the distribution center was going to be built in Calumet Country Club. The only question was, who controls the development, Homewood or Hazel Crest ... There is no other option. There are no other alternatives. Homewood is the best choice. Homewood is the right choice."

South Suburbs for Greenspace over Concrete (SSGOC) said they support Hazel Crest officials’ statements and also call for unity and the transformation of property into "something that will benefit all of our communities’ health and happiness."

"Homewood, Hazel Crest, East Hazel Crest and all Southland communities will benefit from preserving and reimagining the gem that is 130 acres of greenspace in the middle of residences, highways, and businesses," the group said in a news release. "SSGOC is calling for residents and concerned parties to show their support of Hazel Crest’s statement and call for Southland cooperation at the Homewood Planning and Zoning Commission meeting Wednesday at 7 p.m."

The continuation of last week's three-hour commission meeting — full of chanting, passionate residents of Homewood, Hazel Crest and other surrounding communities — will resume on Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. at the Homewood Village Hall. Representatives from Diversified will be in attendance again to answer questions from board members and residents. Those interested in attending should know space is limited, and the meeting can be viewed via Zoom. See the village's website for further instructions.

Related:

Homewood Group To Stop Calumet Country Club Redevelopment | Homewood, IL Patch

Suburban Group Organizes Demonstration To Stop Industrial Park | Homewood, IL Patch

Hazel Crest Mayoral Candidate Opposes Calumet Country Club Change | Homewood, IL Patch