Developer OKed For Industrial Building On Plainfield Mining Site To Dedicate 124 Acres For Green Space

PLAINFIELD, IL — Bridge Industrial, a Chicago-based real estate company, plans to build 1.3 million square feet of industrial building space on the eastern portion of the Vulcan mining property south of the 143rd Street and Route 126 intersection in Plainfield.

To do so, the applicant is requesting to annex 212 acres but intends to dedicate 124 acres of open space to the Plainfield Park District, with a large pit in the area eventually becoming a lake.

The Village Board was in favor — and the Plan Commission recommended approval — so trustees unanimously voted during their June 16 regular meeting to direct the village attorney to prepare the necessary ordinances for approval of the annexation agreement, annexation, map amendment and special use for the planned development. The property extends south from Route 126 to Lockport Street and westward to Spring Hill Estates neighborhood.

The 212-acre U-shaped property wraps around the Pure Rod and Gun Club on Route 126, and most of the frontage is along Lockport Street, which has a large berm screening Vulcan's mining operations.

"[The developer] worked out deals with everyone. … It’s all going to be a really positive project for everybody," Mayor John Argoudelis told Patch.

Since the land backs a residential area, Bridge Industrial plans to dedicate land to adjacent properties, giving residents one year from the date of the annexation agreement to decide if they want to proceed.

The annexation agreement will also include fail-safes if the Plainfield Park District opts out of the green space dedication, including one that will give the Village of Plainfield the option to obtain the property.

"The area would remain as some sort of open space/recreational area that helps to provide assurances to local residents," Economic Development Director Jake Melrose wrote in a report summary.

Bridge Industrial plans to annex a 3.1-acre parcel of the Deer Creek property to provide them with a connection to 143rd Street. The company will also convey the necessary right of way for the future Lockport Street bypass, covering 14 acres, which it will dedicate to the village upon request, documents state. If the bypass won't be needed, the lot will remain green space, village staff said at the meeting.

The developer is also taking precautions should Vulcan decide to deactivate the mining area and shut off pumps: A large trench area adjacent to Spring Hill residents will be filled so it won't inundate.