Burr Ridge Athletic Facility Suggested On Old Plant Site

BURR RIDGE, IL – A consultant has suggested an indoor athletic facility as part of the development on the site of the old CNH Industrial plant in Burr Ridge.

But the owner, CNH, has different ideas about the 110-acre property at 6900 Veterans Boulevard.

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The consultant, Houseal Lavigne, includes the athletic facility in the plan, based on feedback from its local survey.

According to the plan, the facility would host local and regional events, "designed as an active, well-connected hub within the broader site."

The village has not approved the plan. And it's unclear how the facility would be paid for.

In a previous proposal, another developer offered to rebuild the village's public works complex, which is next to CNH.

Earlier this month, CNH's broker, Sean Henrick of Cushman & Wakefield, emailed a village plan commissioner, Mike Stratis, about the company's reservations about the consultant's plan.

In June, CNH representatives met with Mayor Gary Grasso and Guy Franzese, a village trustee, to offer about 40 acres of the land to the village, Henrick said.

The consultant's plan, Henrick said, doesn't address flooding and environmental issues. He questioned the consultant's proposal for houses and multi-family units on the south and north ends.

Henrick discouraged approving a plan that contemplates residential uses on environmentally impacted land without understanding the cleanup costs.

"The same concern applies to concepts like an athletic facility with residents, children and public users on land that may require a higher level of regulated cleanup/engineering controls," he said.

For its part, Henrick said, CNH would require the developer to clean up the donated land, which would be on the property's east side. That could allow for immediate redevelopment if the village chose that route, he said.

At the Plan Commission meeting in early July, members held different views on the company's ideas, according to meeting minutes.

Stratis said an athletic facility did not appear to be economically realistic, given the existing area offerings. But Commissioner Barry Irwin supported it, saying it would provide recreational opportunities for residents.

CNH indicated it is working with Chicago-based Kurv Industrial as the developer.

Under the plan, the five-building commercial complex would consist of 142,000 to 181,000 square feet. A truck dock would be included for every 10,000 square feet, meaning 14 to 18.

During previous proposals for the site, trucking activity has been a big sticking point for neighboring homeowners.

In the latest plan, CNH said the complex would be a corporate business park, not a freight hub. The facility would include "no trailer storage, minimal docks, multiple storefront entries."

Last August, Bridge Industrial pulled its plan for several commercial buildings on the site after neighborhood opposition. The firm promised it would not be a trucking hub.

The original plan included a Costco, but residents objected.