Documentary Chronicles NorthPoint Defeat

Chronicling what has been characterized as a David vs. Goliath defeat, DePaul University graduate Jimmy Haley recently released a documentary film about Elwood's grassroots effort to oppose NorthPoint Development's plan to build Compass Business Park, a 2,200-acre trucking and warehouse facility adjacent to residential homes between Elwood and Manhattan.

Titled "A Good Neighbor – a short documentary film," Haley, 23, interviewed several members of the Elwood-based activist group, Say No to NorthPoint.

The Village of Elwood has a population of about 2,200 residents. NorthPoint Development, LLC is a multi-billion dollar foreign-owned developer.

The title of the 27-minute film comes from NorthPoint Vice President Patrick Robinson's testimony during the unprecedented three-night hearing in front of the Elwood Planning and Zoning Commission earlier this year.

"We can't stress enough our commitment to being a good neighbor and ensuring that Compass Business Park benefits the community and the region as a whole," Robinson told the commission.

Of the approximately 100 people who spoke over the course of the three-night hearing, Robinson was one of only three who supported the project.

"I would say 98 percent of the people in that room were against what was being opposed," said State Rep. Larry Walsh, Jr., (D-Elwood), who was interviewed by Haley.

The film highlights residents' concerns about NorthPoint exponentially increasing truck traffic along the already over-crowded Route 53, as well as a myriad of other social, economic and environmental concerns. The proposed trucking and warehouse facility is located within a mile of Wilson Creek Elementary School in Manhattan.

"It was just so impressive how much research they did to uncover all this info," Haley said of the Say No to NorthPoint residents. "They did it because they care about their community and they sacrificed so much time to do it."

Other groups that expressed written opposition include Openlands, the Environmental Law and Policy Center, Warehouse Workers for Justice and Sierra Club. Taxing bodies that issued resolutions in opposition include Jackson Township, Manhattan Township, Elwood Consolidated Grade School, Manhattan School District 114, and Elwood Fire Protection District.

Despite overwhelming opposition during over 13 hours of testimony, Elwood's planning commission took about a minute to approve NorthPoint's plan without any in a vote 3-to-1. None of the commission commented on their vote.

In April, Elwood Mayor Doug Jenco effectively rejected NorthPoint's proposal when he canceled the public hearing for the Elwood Village Board on the project after he individually polled trustees and announced there was not enough support on the board for the project, the film shows.

NorthPoint has since announced its application to the Will County Board.

The film is available on You Tube and can be viewed by clicking here.

This news article was posted by Erin Gallagher & Associates, LLC. Erin Gallagher is available at Erin@ErinGallagher.net.