Evergreen Terrace Won't Be Torn Down: Consultants

JOLIET, IL - This week was a reality check for the Joliet City Council regarding the city's controversial purchase of the Evergreen Terrace public housing project along Broadway Street. Between buying the property and the city's additional legal costs, Joliet's total costs are around $25 million.

A few years ago, then-City Councilman Jim McFarland informed Patch that more than 400 people responded to his informal community survey and that more than 67 percent believed demolishing Evergreen Terrace would be the "most favorable" option if the city proceeds with acquiring the housing complex. But McFarland's survey was hollow. McFarland didn't inform the residents about the city's financial ramifications of tearing down the property.

"This talk about a marina, sailboats on a shipping canal ... it's time we get realistic here," Mayor Bob O'Dekirk told the rest of the council this week.

In recent days, the council heard from Andrea Keeney, senior development manager with Holsten Development, the city’s ownership partner in the public apartment complex, now named Riverwalk Homes.

She presented five options to the council. Joliet officially acquired ownership of Evergreen Terrace last year. The city is obligated to provide the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development with a formal plan of action this September, which marks a year from the date of the city taking ownership.

Scenario 1 and Scenario 2 call for Joliet demolishing public housing buildings F and G and keeping the rest. Under these proposals, the city could recoup its costs of acquiring Evergreen Terrace and its legal fees.

The third scenario called for demolishing four buildings and keeping three plus the community center, which would leave about 180 units. There would be a moderate rehabilitation of the apartments in two phases.

The fourth scenario calls for keeping all buildings but performing an extensive gut-rehab in two phases.

The fifth scenario calls for demolishing everything and constructing 115 new townhouse style units.

Patch was told there are currently around 368 apartment units at Evergreen Terrace.

The fifth scenario calling for wiping out Evergreen Terrace has almost no chance at happening, the council learned. For example, an entity such as the Joliet Housing Authority does not have any capital funds available to foot the costs for such an expensive project involving town homes.

"Basically, what we're saying is that a project of this type can't be done here," Keeney explained.

The city's project partner suggested the City Council narrow down the five scenarios to two.

"It would be helpful to get feedback on these scenarios," Keeney recommended.

From a cost-ratio analysis, the scenarios that appear more favorable call for keeping at least 319 units. The scenarios calling for substantially fewer apartment units, such as 177 units, are probably less likely because the city would lose millions from its initial acquisition investment over the long haul.

City Manager David Hales told everyone at this week's meeting that "public input phase is critical."

Veteran City Councilwoman Jan Quillman urged the city's ownership partners not to eliminate the fifth scenario at this stage, even if it's unrealistic.

"You have to present that because that's what people were told and that's what people were expecting," she countered.

O'Dekirk explained "the idea of leveling that site and building (new public housing projects) somewhere else is a cost that's going to be bankrupting the city of Joliet in my opinion ... Our hands are tied by the settlement with HUD ... What was initially promised in 2005, the city was never going to be able to deliver on that ... The green way, the parkway, is not possible."

Based on the tone of this week's council meeting, a number of community public forums will take place over the summer and the council will vote on a final course of action regarding Evergreen Terrace during the month of August.

Main image via City of Joliet