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Update - January 3, 2008

Looking Great for 2008

There are always new projects in the works and some will find their way to reality while others just aren’t able to find the right formula at the time.  Some of these projects can take years to build momentum, find funding, obtain approvals or just wait for the market to catch up. 

Our office tries to share the excitement as soon as we can since developments are usually good news.  Also, one project often spurs another so getting word out can be very proactive and keeps the momentum going.

For 2008 we hope to see the results of the momentum that has been felt for the last few years. 
Projects like Arby’s at 20th & Sheridan, Super Wal-mart at Route 173 and Kenosha, the completion of Great Lakes Crossing, the opening of Zion Crossing, both at Greenbay and Route 173. 

Breaking ground on Market Square in the 2700 block of Sheridan now that all of the environmental issues have been resolved.  The relocation of AutoZone tothe 3000 block of Sheridan.  The demolition of existing Fire Station One as the department moves to its new location at Caledonia and 27th.  In its place will be the yet unnamed mixed use project that will include retail, condos and professional office space. 

The decommissioning of the ComEd nuclear plant will be a multi-year effort to reclaim our lakefront.  This project alone will spark new projects on the east side and certainly increase the local employment opportunities and commerce downtown.

2007 has been an instrumental year in terms of planning.  Trumpet Road will begin construction in the spring through private funding with our development partners, Panattoni Development.  The acquisition of nearly sixty additional acres for Trumpet Park took nearly two years to complete and the application for state assistance to bring rail spurs into the park will require several more months of patience and persistence to bring to reality. 

While housing starts nationally are down, we have developers who are planning for the future.  Sites are being assessed, even assembled in anticipation of future retail and residential projects.  2008 will continue to build our local economy and restore our tax base so the burden is less on our homeowners.  It is a slow and tedious process to overcome the impact left in the wake of closing the plant, but there is a light at the end of this long tunnel.  It will be reached by keeping our focus, taking one small step at a time and a few big ones when we can. 

Yes, 2008 will be great if we expect it to be…and we do!  Happy Holidays to all and visit www.cityofzion.com for continuous updates and details on these and other projects throughout the year.