Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation selling the shuttered Tinley Park Mental Health Center to the Tinley Park-Park District for $1, with the district looking to clean up the tainted site and use it for recreation purposes including a domed soccer field, according to the governor’s office and legislators who shepherded the bill through the General Assembly.
The 280-acre property is northwest of the intersection of Harlem Avenue and 183rd Street, and the Park District initially plans to redevelop 90 acres to include the soccer field, multipurpose sports field and an accessible playground.
Tinley Park had also been involved with talks with the state to acquire the site for primarily commercial development, including entertainment uses.
The Park District said the governor’s signature doesn’t automatically mean the district owns the property, and that a transfer of the property, controlled by the state’s Central Management Services department, will need to happen.
The property had once been considered as a site for a combination harness racing track and casino, but language in the legislation Pritzker signed would prevent the property from being used for gambling purposes.
State Rep. Bob Rita, D-Blue Island and Sen. Michael Hastings, D-Frankfort praised the governor’s action. Both had worked in their respective chambers to usher through the bill.
Environmental issues with the property include asbestos in buildings, contaminated soil and underground pipes and storage tanks.
The Park District said it will work with Tetra Tech, which conducted an environmental assessment of the property for the village several years ago, to update its report and give a new look into the issues and costs.
In the state’s budget for this fiscal year, $15 million has been earmarked for environmental cleanup of the site and bringing down dozens of buildings. The Park District is working toward an agreement on the grant.
“After many years of inaction, we are incredibly grateful for Gov. Pritzker’s support to finally begin the process of remediating and revitalizing this eyesore in our community,” Lisa O’Donovan, a Park Board member, said in a news release Friday.
“We are excited and ready to move forward with the many steps it will take to clean up the property and redevelop the site,” she said.
Park District officials have said their development could bring regional youth sports tournaments to the village, which, in turn, would help Tinley Park businesses such as hotels and restaurants.