Empty Building In Joliet Since 2012 Won't Be Vacant Much Longer

JOLIET — When the Joliet board of zoning meets on Thursday, the advisory panel for the Joliet City Council will consider approving a special use permit and variation to allow for a community mental health office at 971 Collins Street, land that used to be part of the old U.S. Steel property many decades ago.

According to city of Joliet documents for the project:

The 0.5-acre subject property contains a 1,885-square-foot one-story brick building surrounded by an asphalt parking area. The property was originally part of the U.S. Steel Mills complex along Collins Street. However, the lot was parceled off prior to 1972 when the existing building was constructed.

The property was last occupied by New Century Federal Credit Union and has been vacant since around 2012.

According to Joliet, this is not the first time that someone has approached City Hall with ideas for the property.

In November 2022, City Council approved a special use permit to allow a banquet hall, a B-3 general business use, at this location. The banquet hall petitioner submitted permits to remodel the site but no permits were ever issued and no work was done on the property, the city noted.

The current owner, Pilsen Wellness Center Inc., purchased the property in May 2024.

The zoning board meeting is at 2 p.m. Thursday, the current members are:

• Ralph Bias
• Ed Hennessy
• Bob Nachtrieb
• Jim Riggs
• Brigette Roehr
• Debbie Radakovich