Village 'Disappointed,' 'Relieved' At State's Action On TInley Mental Health Center Land

TINLEY PARK, IL — Tinley Park officials Friday said that while they are disappointed in state legislators' decision regarding the future of the Tinley Mental Health Center acreage, they are "simultaneously relieved."

"The Village is aware that the State passed legislation giving the 280-acre Tinley Park Mental Health Center site to the Tinley Park-Park District," the statement read. "While we couldn’t be more disappointed and dissatisfied with the decision, we are simultaneously relieved the State finally took some action on transferring the land."

The Village went on to say they "welcome the Park District to the table to begin discussing their plans.

"We are hopeful that they can fully explain how the property will be brought up to code for public safety purposes and ultimately how they will fund and develop the site and all the necessary infrastructure," officials said.

The statement comes after months of tension between the two public entities, which both pursued ownership of the land at 183rd Street and Harlem Avenue. What followed was a months-long process after the state listed the vacant land and buildings among its surplus property in October 2022. The park district's bid shocked the Village, triggering what many have seen as an increasingly contentious relationship between the two. The resulting tension has led to cancelation of traditions, negation of handshake agreements and intergovernmental agreements, and harsh criticism from the community.

The park district in December gave a glimpse of its plans for the property, which would include a sports dome, hub of athletic fields, track and field facilities and open recreational space—plans they say received praise from more than a dozen legislators and public officials.

The Village's attempts to acquire the property date back years, with its most recent attempt to buy it at a price tag of $4.5 million rejected in February 2022. Officials had hopes of using portions of the land in different ways, in part for a sportsplex and multi-purpose athletic fields, and also to centralize all Village resources, moving Village Hall, the police department and more to one location, Glotz said.

In a renewed pitch to acquire the land, Village officials in March laid out to the state updated plans and letters of support for their vision for the hotly contested acreage. The vision included a sports complex, indoor sports facility and ice rink, entertainment center, transit-oriented apartments and townhomes, multi-use trail and expanded wetlands.

Ultimately, Village officials said Friday, the two entities' visions for the property are not all that different.

"Please know that the Village's vision for the site to be an economic engine and revenue generator as a mixed-use entertainment district has not changed," the Village said. "In reality, we share the Park District’s vision for the development of the property but ultimately believe that private development, devoid of the expense of public costs and liabilities, would be a better choice."