Tinley Park land sparks dispute
Park District claims spat fueling clash over gas costs, race permits
A tug-of-war between Tinley Park and the village’s Park District about possible ownership of stateowned land has spilled over into issues such as fuel, road salt and foot races.
The Park District said it has had to find other sources of fuel for district vehicles and de-icing salt for Park District properties after Tinley Park cut off long-standing supply agreements for both products, and that there has been a squabble over getting a permit for the district’s annual Running o’ the Green 8K race, typically held in conjunction with the village’s Irish Parade.
Both the Park District and village are interested in acquiring the former Tinley Park Mental Health Center and adjacent Howe Developmental Center, with the Park District proposing recreational uses at the 280-acre site northwest of Harlem Avenue and 183rd Street and the village looking at entertainment uses.
The Park District last month canceled its annual July 4 fireworks show after Tinley Park officials opted to hold a display July 3.
“We’re disappointed with the village’s decisions and can only assume they were the result of our interest in the vacant property,” Shawn Roby, the Park District’s executive director, said Friday.
The district has bought fuel through a bulk purchasing agreement with the village and has tapped into the village’s supply of salt, paying for what it uses, but both were canceled in recent weeks.
“These long-standing agreements were created in the best interest of Tinley Park residents, their tax dollars and to benefit the community,” Roby said.
The Park District’s Running o’ the Green has for many years been held the same day as the village’s Irish Parade, which this year will be March 5.
The Park District’s application for a permit to hold the race that day was denied by the village because of staffing issues, and it is looking at an alternate date, according to Roby.
Tinley Park Village Manager Pat Carr said Friday the Park District altered the race route, which would have required more police officers to be deployed if held March 5, straining staff.
Roby denied that, saying the route of the race has not changed for years.
The Park District also holds its annual Stars and Stripes 5K on July 4, but is looking instead to run it July 1.
The district said it has requested a permit to hold the race July 1 and is waiting for a response from the village.
Carr said he could not comment on Roby’s accusation that the issues stem from the land dispute.
Carr, in a post Wednesday on the village’s website explaining the village’s plans for its own fireworks display, said the village is expecting the Park District to “submit their permit in the near future for the Stars and Stripes.”
“I’m also sure their Running ‘O the Green 8k race, featuring a new route, will be fantastic now that they’ve selected a date that no longer conflicts with the Tinley Park Irish Parade on March 5,” the manager said in the post.
Park Board members in November indicated to the Illinois Department of Central Management Services, which controls the former mental health center property, of the Park District’s interest in acquiring the state-owned land.
Village officials at the time said they were caught off guard by the move, and contended Tinley Park had already invested resources in trying to buy the site and hiring consultants. Village officials previously said they had a tentative deal with the state to buy the property for $4.5 million.
The Park District has proposed uses for the site including a domed, regulation-size soccer field and a stadium with a running track.
The village is proposing a mixed-use entertainment district that would “be a powerful economic engine” producing tax revenue and make Tinley Park “an all around-destination to live, work and play,” Mayor Michael Glotz said in a post last month on the village’s website.
The property was once considered as the site of a combination casino and harness racing track, a use allowed under an expansion of Illinois’ gambling options which is bringing a new casino to East Hazel Crest.
The site has a number of environmental issues that would need to be addressed, at a cost estimated at several million dollars, before redevelopment could occur.
Glotz said private investors would “clean up and redevelop the property with their own money, not the taxpayers’.”
Roby said the Park District has been able to get another source of fuel. Carr said the decision to cut the district out of the bulk purchase program was a cost-saving measure for the village.
Under the purchase plan, the village was going to go over its allowable allotment for fuel, and “if we exceed a certain amount of gallons we would kick into the regular market price,” Carr said Friday.
He said it was the village’s Public Works Department that recommended ending the joint fuel purchase agreement.
At Wednesday’s meeting, Park Board members approved an agreement with the Orland Township Highway Department for road salt, and paying the state bid price, Roby said.
Carr said he did not have the particulars regarding the cancellation of the salt agreement and could not comment.