By Marney Simon | Enterprise Staff
The battle over a proposed warehouse to house operations for Diageo continued this week, as one by one residents clad in red shirts approached village trustees asking them to vote no on the project.
On Monday, Sept. 10, the village board held a workshop meeting to discuss the proposal to build a 1.5 million square foot warehouse at 143rd and Steiner. The project is being proposed by Seefried Properties, the firm that would build the site which would function as a distribution center and warehouse for spirit-maker Diageo.
Diageo would sign off on a minimum 15-year commitment to lease the site, which will be built to Diageo’s specifications.
Residents of Dayfield and Liberty Grove subdivisions who back up to 143rd object to the proposal, which would add a projected 380 truck trips per day along the roadway that lines their backyards.
Commenters, several wearing red shirts declaring “Be a Good Neighbor Diageo” said they were worried about traffic, noise, pollution, and safety.
Jennifer Milkeris, whose home backs up to 143rd, said she wanted elected officials and staff to come spend some time in her backyard, with just 30 feet between her home and the road.
“I don’t think any of you realize just how close 30 feet is,” Milkeris said.
Adding punch to her statement, Milkeris added that she had measured the board room, and the seat occupied by Mayor Mike Collins is just 30 feet from the back wall of the board room.
“Would any of you feel safe sending your children out to play in the backyard where my swing set is closer than 30 feet,” she said. “I don’t think this should be a done deal… It’s not fair. We didn’t sign up for this, there are plenty of other places for Diageo to build.”
Residents also vowed to hit back at the voting booth should the project be approved, and at least one resident even expressed a desire to disrupt Diageo operations if the development moves forward.
But the applicant balked at claims that the new facility was a done deal.
Mike Martin, representing Seefried Properties, said the proposed $50 million project will add hundreds of employees inside the village limit, as well as 400 to 500 construction jobs. Martin said the facility should produce $1.2 million to $1.5 million in property taxes annually, and those taxes will be fully assessed in order to provide funds which can be used to extend 143rd to Ridge Road.
“Diageo and Seefried are willing to partner with the village, and I can’t think you’d find a better partner to achieve this goal,” Martin said.
Diageo will pay to extend 143rd Street to the end of its proposed property line, and the village would be responsible for the additional extension to Ridge Road. That project is expected to total in the $7 million range.
Village Administrator Brian Murphy said the village currently has $9 million allocated to the easterly extension of 143rd Street and could pay much of that cost up front while replenishing the fund with new tax dollars, including those from Diageo.
Martin added that Diageo would also contribute $300,000 to add a stoplight at 143rd and Meadow, and another $150,000 for noise mitigation.
In terms of pollution, Diageo reps noted that the company is committed to technologies to minimize emissions, already participating in a transportation program with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The new facility would replace Diageo’s current facility in Bolingbrook, which is at the end of its lease. Diageo officials told the board that should the proposal fail, Diageo will go back to the drawing board.
Village trustees said they were sympathetic to the frustrations of residents. Board members acknowledged Diageo’s contributions to the community, and needed to look at the whole picture before making a final decision.
Seefried will return to the village board on Sept. 17 with their full proposal.