More Praise For Park District's Plans For Mental Health Center Land

TINLEY PARK, IL — The Tinley Park-Park District this week received additional support of its pursuit of and plans for the vacant Tinley Mental Health Center property.

In a letter sent to the park district by 14 additional members of the Illinois House and Senate, the legislators praise the group for its proposed plan for the site of the former Tinley Park Mental Health Center and Howe Development Center.

The park district unveiled its plans for the space late last year, after stating its intent to pursue acquisition of the property as a sole entity, separate from the Village of Tinley Park. The plan includes a vision to transform the long-vacant land into a hub of athletic fields, track and field facilities, a domed sports complex and open recreational space.

This week more than a dozen legislators who represent communities surrounding the Tinley Park area, sent a letter of support, including: Reps. Dagmara Avelar, Kelly Burke, Will Davis, Anthony DeLuca, Marcus Evans, Fran Hurley, Thaddeus Jones, Natalie Manley, Nick Smith, Larry Walsh Jr., and Sens. Napoleon Harris, Patrick Joyce, Elgie Sims and Rachel Ventura.

The Park District has also previously received the support of three legislators who represent Tinley Park: Reps. Debbie Meyers-Martin, Bob Rita and Justin Slaughter, who called the plans, "what we have needed," for the space.

The park district's proposal for recreational space at the site begins with 90 acres in the first phase of development and includes playground and sports facilities for people living with special needs.

Under the plan, initial development for the property includes playground and sports facilities fully accessible for people living with special needs, multipurpose athletic fields, a domed sports complex with a full-size soccer field, a stadium with a track, a splash pad, concession stands, spectator stands, lighting, ample parking, as well as a pond, picnic areas and open green space.

The group of legislators said the Park District’s Phase 1 plans would create an opportunity for people across the Midwest to attend tournaments, games and events at the site.

“Additionally, transforming this site into a place for all to enjoy addresses a critical need for many of our communities that could benefit greatly from access to more recreation opportunities,” the legislators wrote.

The park district's formal bidding on the property has triggered a seemingly contentious relationship with village officials, who initially said they were surprised to learn of the park district's interest in bidding on the property as a sole entity. Their plans also caught officials off-guard, Village Manager Pat Carr told Patch in a previous interview. The Village's most recent attempt to purchase the land—280 acres on the corner of 183rd Street and Harlem Avenue—at a price tag of $4.5 million fell through as recently as February 2022.

Carr and Mayor Mike Glotz have spoken out publicly in criticism of the park district's efforts, saying, "... the land is not zoned for what the park district intends, noting, "when we created this TIF, the park district was involved in this, and they knew exactly what needed to go there to generate revenue and jobs for the residents of Tinley."

Most recently, in what Village Manager Pat Carr called an unrelated decision, the Village of Tinley Park decided to move away from its previous tradition of splitting the cost of July 4 fireworks with the park district, instead planning to host its own celebration on July 3. The park district then decided to cancel its event, to avoid duplicate events and expenditures.