Residents living under I‑80 in Joliet voice their requests for neighborhood upgrades

Joliet residents in the neighborhoods below the Interstate 80 bridges over the Des Plaines River want to see less crime, fewer vacant homes, more job development and more recreational places for youths.

Those were some of the ideas shared Tuesday at the first public meeting about the I-80 Des Plaines River Bridge community plan.

The Illinois Department of Transportation has committed $3.5 million for community improvements to “address impacts from the relocation of the Des Plaines River Bridge,” Joliet city officials have said.

As part of a much larger I-80 reconstruction project, the state has acquired 80 properties below the bridges in Joliet.

The community plan will determine how the $3.5 million “should be used to best benefit the surrounding neighborhoods,” city officials said.

Tuesday’s meeting about the community plan was held at All Nation Church of God, 507 Water St., Joliet.

Residents were able to view poster board displays with information about the plan and discuss ideas with staff from the city and a company called CDM Smith.

Last year, the Joliet City Council Land Use and Economic Development Committee voted to recommend full council approval of a $392,000 community plan for the use of the $3.5 million.

CDM Smith has been working for the state on planning for the community below the I-80 bridges.

Some of the residents told The Herald-News that they wanted something done about the vacant houses overwhelmed by tall grass and squatters in the area. They also recommended a community center and a grocery store.

One resident wanted the neighborhoods to be more kid-friendly.

“Give [the children] something to do,” Charone Strong said.

Jeff Sangillo, a transportation planner with CDM Smith, said Tuesday’s meeting was for gathering a lot of “broad ideas,” and there is a plan to get more feedback from the community.

He said he has heard that residents want “public spaces that are safe and welcoming.”

The community plan is expected to be completed in 2026, with “implementation of the recommended improvements to follow,” city officials said.

“The planning process will include multiple opportunities for public input, including additional community meetings, one-on-one engagement and a dedicated community steering committee,” city officials said.

Some of the ideas that have been proposed for the neighborhoods include “traffic-calming measures” along Water Street and enhanced lighting for “safety and aesthetics,” city officials said.

Residents were invited to put sticky notes on board displays with their ideas on changes needed in the community.

Those notes said the residents wanted:

• less crime

• more job development.

• basketball courts and a swimming pool park ”to keep kids active”

Other notes said residents were concerned about vacant lots, homelessness and squatting in the area.

Joliet Police Sgt. Dwayne English, the police department’s spokesman, said officers have responded to “multiple reports of squatters” in the area beneath the bridges.

“We’ve been notified by both area residents and the Illinois Department of Transportation. Officers have not located any squatters during their response,” English said.

Catherine Beavers, who runs a Joliet transitional house for veterans, said she has owned homes in the neighborhoods that were bought by the Illinois Department of Transportation, but they have been neglected.

“The grass is taller than we are,” Beavers said.

She said the city also should do more to improve the area.

Beavers said there is a need for a center where children can receive educational and entrepreneurial skills. She said children in the area need services to help them become more entrepreneurial and financially literate.

“Those are services they need and can benefit from,” Beavers said.

Another resident recommended a grocery store.

“This is a food desert,” Casandra McCullum said.

She opposed the idea of a new park because she said she doesn’t believe it will be maintained properly.

McCullum had pictures on her phone showing boarded-up homes in the area that have fallen into neglect. They had tall grass, and one of house had “no trespassing” spray-painted on a wall.

McCullum said IDOT should do “better community outreach.”

Karen Bell said she wondered if some of the money for community improvement could help residents in the area who are struggling financially. She said there are lot of residents who are in their 60s, 70s and 80s who need help as well.

“It seems like we’re forgotten, and we pay taxes just like anyone else,” Bell said.

Gwen Ulmer, who once lived on Water Street, said she believes the ideas proposed for the community will take more than $3.5 million. She recommended that the city, the park district and Joliet Township work together on how to improve the community.

“It needs to be a collaboration,” she said.

Residents can stay up to date about the community plan by visiting joliet.gov/i80communityplan.

Residents also can contact the city about the plan at i80communityplan@joliet.gov or 815-242-2212.