'Zero' Chance Pioneers Play At Vacant Andrew Site: Pekau

ORLAND PARK, IL — A recent suggestion by Orland Township Supervisor Paul O'Grady that the Orland Park Pioneers football, cheer and flag organization should practice and play at the vacant land formerly occupied by the Andrew Corporation isn't possible, Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau said.

There's "zero chance" of the proposal O'Grady issued a few weeks back of happening, Pekau said. O'Grady suggested the Pioneers use the vacant land north of 153rd Street and between 108th and West avenues in Orland Park.

The headquarters of Andrew for several decades until the early 2000's, the land is now owned by the CommScope corporation, which Pekau said due to possible liabilities would "sit on the land" before allowing it to become a residential area, "let alone a park where kids would play."

"I have personally met with CommScope and discussed it," Pekau said. "They won't give it away for residential use because of the liabilities that could come with the amount of chemicals used there."

"It has been a manufacturing facility since the 1940's, clean to industrial standards but start moving massive amounts of dirt and you've got a problem," Pekau said. "They (CommScope) don't want that liability."

The mayor said it would be "dangerous" and "reckless" to have a park built on the land.

"Over my dead body would kids go there on a park setting," he said.

Pekau said talks could begin again with CommScope about the possibility of turning the long vacant Andrew land for either industrial or commercial use.

"It cannot become residential without further remediation," the mayor said.