Joliet Approves Rock Run Crossings Development Agreement

JOLIET, IL — The Joliet City Council on Tuesday night approved a development agreement with Cullinan Properties. The public-private partnership provides for construction of the new public roadway network and other utility infrastructure to be completed in conjunction with the new interchange under construction at I-55 and Route 59 for the super-regional mixed-use project.

According to a news release from Nicole Sutherland, marketing manager with Cullinan Properities, the new public infrastructure combined with the 310-acre mixed-use project will be a source of economic and employment opportunity for the citizens of Joliet and Will County throughout construction and post completion. The project features mixed-use retail, entertainment such as Regal Theaters and year-round events to bring the community together.

“We are so pleased with the outcome of the vote. The support and collaboration that the Rock Run Crossings project has received since the beginning has been extremely positive and enthusiastic. Cullinan Properties is committed to creating a vibrant project and being a lasting partner in the Joliet community,” said Diane Cullinan Oberhelman, Cullinan Properties’ Founding Partner & Chairman, in Wednesday's announcement. “The live-work-play energy of Rock Run Crossings will be a great addition to the Joliet community and state of Illinois, as well as a strong economic driver. "

“Rock Run Crossings is the sort of project the city wants to see developed at the interstate crossroads,” Joliet Mayor Bob O’Dekirk remarked in the news release. "I want to thank Cullinan for choosing Joliet and sticking with us through this entire process. The unanimous vote reflects the support Joliet has for the project.”

Last November, Joliet Patch broke the news that Hollywood Casino will be one of the main anchors to locate at Rock Run Crossings. Patch reported that Joliet's Hollywood Casino is located at 777 Hollywood Boulevard, but with hundreds of acres of surrounding land being gobbled up for industrial development, operators of the Joliet casino may be looking to move elsewhere.

"It sounds like Hollywood Casino is going to build a new casino and hotel at the corner of I-55 and I-80," one source told Joliet Patch on Friday morning.

So far, Hollywood Casino still has not made a public announcement about moving to Rock Run Crossings but several people with familiar with the project have told Joliet Patch that the move is still a sure thing.