Tinley Mental Health Center: Readers Give Ideas For Empty Site

TINLEY PARK, IL — At the end of last year, Tinley Park officials yet again began to mull over what to do with the 280-acre site of the former Tinley Park Mental Health Center, which was closed by the state in 2012. Redevelopment firms had until last week to give the village their proposals for what they would do with the property near 183rd Street and Harlem Avenue.

Now, village leaders have the task of sorting through the projects and seeing which developers should submit more detailed plans. But before they put together a pool of potential ideas for the site, maybe officials should check out what some residents think should be done with the property.

In November, Patch asked Tinley Park readers for their suggestions of what to do with the abandoned facility. We even started the exercise rolling with a few ideas of our own, including a botanical garden, a museum or even a bird sanctuary, something that was suggested for property south of the former mental health center at 191st Street and Harlem.

RELATED: Tinley Park Mental Health Center: What Should Be Done With It?

Here are some of the suggestions readers have for the site of the empty Tinley Park Mental Health Center:

Residential: "Today zero tax dollars are generated from this property. A tax producing residential development would create tax dollars and additional sales for existing businesses in town."

Retail and Eating: "A shopping center with a variety of restaurants and shops."

Mixed Use: "A mixed use area that can generate tax income but still contribute to the community is what seems most practical. The idea of residential community with the ability to walk to retail, grocery, bars and restaurants as well as a park or small recreational area is very appealing. The north end meets the commuter tracks … perhaps in the future a commuter stop can be added that can take residents to downtown Tinley and downtown Chicago? Building a self sustaining, convenient and beautiful area, will create a popular and sought after area to live and play."

Mental Health Facility: "We need many more mental institutions opened up in this country. Why are we trusting the mentally ill to take their meds and not attack us with machine guns?"

Veterans Facility: "The old mental health building should be cleaned up. Then open as Veterans Health Center. This is the only option. For all the men and women who serve this Great Country, when they come home with medical needs this would be a perfect location. This has plenty of space for all Their health care needs."

YOUR TURN: What do you think of these ideas? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section.

An abandoned building on the site of the former Tinley Park Mental Health Center near Harlem Avenue and 183rd Street (Photo via Patch archive)