Joliet Wants Its Downtown To Become 'A Mecca For Young Adults'

JOLIET, IL - City leaders say they want to convert downtown Joliet into a "Mecca for Young Adults." The events of the coming week will play a pivotal role in whether the city's lofty vision can materialize. At Monday night's pre-council meeting, the Joliet City Council will review the proposed redevelopment proposal with Innovation Pavilion, a Centennial, Colorado firm looking to expand across the country.

At 5:30 p.m. Innovation Pavilion CEO Vic Ahmed will make a presentation about his plans for downtown Joliet and answer questions from the council. Then on Tuesday night, a resolution to approve the redevelopment with Innovation Pavilion is on the regular agenda. Tuesday's meeting starts at 6:30 p.m.

In a nutshell, the redevelopment agreement "identifies two potential campus sites with associated concept plans," states a memo from Joliet's interim city manager Marty Shanahan. "The selected site would be provided to Innovation Pavilion at no cost as an incentive to locate in Joliet."

One parcel is just north of the Harrah's Hotel & Casino along the Des Plaines River near Cass and Joliet Streets. The other possible site is dubbed the Washington Street campus. That parcel is south of Union Station and within walking distance of Joliet Central High School.

In addition to the free land, the Joliet City Council is being asked to approve up to $200,000 in funds to help the Colorado investment firm defray its expenses on the project.

"Such reimbursement would be upon their building permit application to construct the first phase of the development project and would be TIF/SSA eligible," Shanahan advised the council.

From Shanahan's perspective, the Innovation Pavilion project has potential to be a huge deal for Joliet. Any six-figure financial incentives being dangled by the city could pay enormous long-term dividends.

"In addition to the employment and housing base created by the campus, the facility would also attract outside business partners, visitors, event attendees and others that would potentially result in commercial activity and overnight stays downtown," Shanahan stated. "It should also be mentioned that a development of this type would go a long way to communicate the positive message that Joliet is diversifying and changing."

Image of architectural rendering via City of Joliet