Collins Street Gets More Economic Development

JOLIET, IL - For years, the city of Joliet's east side got the short end of the stick when it came to economic development matters. City officials didn't devote much time trying to lure new business and new companies to locate on the east side of Joliet. But those days are no more, during the administration of Mayor Bob O'Dekirk.

Earlier this year, at his state of the city speech, Joliet's two-term mayor spoke about the economic revitalization taking place both downtown and on the east side. Over the past several months, the city has approved plans for a Thornton's gas station on Collins Street and Loves Travel Stop near I-80 at Briggs Street.

Additionally, El Guero will open a new grocery store and remodel the entire shopping plaza at the empty Certified Foods Warehouse on East Jackson Street. Also, the Old Joliet Prison has turned into a world-wide tourism attraction along Collins Street.

And, if you have driven along Collins Street recently, you've noticed a large brick facade being built just north of the intersection with Cass Street, adjacent to the Auto Zone shop.

The 7,100-square-foot building in the 200 block of North Collins Street will be a new medical clinic that specializes in kidney dialysis, city documents show.

According to city reports, the property owners are Estella Rios and Ruben Figueroa and the project applicant was West End Property Group, LLC. The new medical clinic project went before the city in 2018 and gained approval.