TP Candidate Godlewski Releases Vision For Mental Health Center

TINLEY PARK, IL — Independent trustee candidate Brian Godlewski's vision for Tinley Park's former mental health center would turn the site into a regional entertainment hub with music venues and ice arenas, an atrium, and mixed-use housing.

He explained that Tinley could tap into its relationship with LiveNation to bring a restaurant with music stage to the area, one that could look like Bub City in Rosemont. Tinley also could tap into the demand for athletic facilities by building an indoor turf facility or an ice arena.The atrium would connect a condo and senior building to the site's amenities. The plan also includes a perimeter bike path and lake with a water zipline.

The goal, Godlewski added, is to think regionally.

"The plan presented by the village is boring an uninspiring in my opinion," he said. "We can make this into a premier regional attraction in the southwest suburbs."

His plan comes as candidates gear up for the April 2 election. The One Tinley Park slate also has released its plan for the site. Godlewski, like the slate's candidates, believe the state should be responsible for remediating the site.

The village's plan

The village is negotiating with Melody Square LLC to build a sweeping, largely age-restricted community to redevelop the former Tinley Park Mental Health Center. Under the proposal, Melody Square would build 435 single-family homes targeted for buyers ages 55 and older, as well as about 200 luxury senior apartments on the 280-acre site. Another 100 apartments, 60 single-family homes, and recreation and public green space is planned for the site.

The negotiation lasts for six months and is non-binding.

The development team is made up of Chicago-area partners K. Hovnanian, M/I Homes, Jax Yards, Rick Heidner of Heidner Properties and Dave Dorgan. Dorgan is a former Tinley Park village manager.

Village officials began looking at options to redevelop the former mental health center's site in 2017, five years after former Gov. Pat Quinn shut down the state facility near Harlem Avenue and 183rd Street.

They had planned to purchase the land from the state in 2015 for more than $4 million. According to the Tribune, the plan was set aside and officials have said that they are waiting for a new property appraisal.

In 2014, an environmental evaluation report showed that the area contained contaminated soil and leaking underground storage tanks filled with gasoline and chemical drums. The area would need remediation, the report showed. Estimates put the cost of clean up at about $12 million.