Dangerous Fairview Projects Finally Demolished

JOLIET, IL — On June 8, the Joliet Housing Authority held a demolition ceremony to mark the long-awaited tear down of the dangerous Fairview public housing complex in the city's Forest Park area. At the event, Congressman Bill Foster, Mayor Bob O'Dekirk and several other politicians spent about five minutes each climbing into a demolition crane to rip apart one of the empty apartments. Then, everyone went home, and the buildings sat empty.

In September, Joliet Patch reported the Fairview housing projects hit a snag and the 40 empty apartment units were still standing. Asbestos had been found in the floors of five of the buildings, according to Joliet Housing Authority CEO Michael Simelton.

Now, just days before 2019 draws to a close, the Omega company's demolition cranes are finally getting to work, after all. On Saturday, Dec. 28, Joliet's Housing Authority posted several photos on its Facebook page showcasing Fairview's demolition.

By May, all of the residents of Fairview had found new places to live thanks to housing vouchers provided through the Joliet Housing Authority. Many people chose to stay in Joliet, but others moved to nearby communities. Some left Illinois and moved out of state.

Prior to its closure, Fairview was regarded as the city's most crime-infested neighborhood. The housing projects typically averaged multiple murders every year plus several non-fatal shootings. Most of the violence was connected to drug pushers and street gang members, according to the police.