The role of the Joliet Arsenal Development Authority (JADA) is the adaptive reuse and transformation of 3,000 acres of land formerly known as the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant. Our goal is to create quality job opportunities and foster economic development in the Will County area.
HISTORY When the Joliet Arsenal was developed by the U.S. Army in the early 1940’s as a manufacturing plant for munitions, the 26,500-acre site 40 miles southwest of Chicago was selected because it was ideally situated adjacent to a major railroad line and within commuting distance for a large pool of skilled and semi-skilled labor. In the following decades, the Arsenal became one of metropolitan Chicago’s largest employers, with more than 12,000 Illinois residents on its payroll during peak production years. The Arsenal provided munitions critical throughout World War II as well as the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. In 1976 the Arsenal was decommissioned, leaving offices and factories as mute reminders of a once productive military installation. The U.S. Army declared the Joliet Arsenal excess property in 1993. When Congress passed legislation in 1995 to transfer the land for remediation, the Arsenal site was subdivided for both public and private use. The Joliet Arsenal Development Authority (JADA), through the state of Illinois, was established to help create quality job opportunities and boost economic development in the Will County area. During the planning stages, the project brought together virtually all levels of government, more than a dozen public agencies and private industry to benefit the community under a common plan. In 2000, JADA received the first transfer of land from the U.S. Army. Soon after, construction began on what is now known as the CenterPoint Intermodal Center (CIC). In 2002, the BNSF Logistics Park opened. This facility integrated several modes of transportation—direct rail, truck, transload and intermodal. This state-of-the-art logistics center serves as a central location for the gathering and distribution of goods in the Midwestern United States. In 2003, International Union of Operating Engineers — Local 150 purchased 300 acres to build a state-of-the-art training center. In 2004, JADA received the final transfer of the 1,100-acre Island City Industrial Park. In 2005, JADA entered into an agreement with ProLogis to develop a 775-acre warehouse and distribution park.
PROGRESS CONTINUES By 2005, JADA was successfully transforming the former Joliet Arsenal into manufacturing and distribution business parks. The factors that make a great location great are as compelling today as they were years ago. In addition, overall economic growth of the region continues to increase the value of three of JADA’s major accomplishments—CenterPoint Intermodal Center, ProLogis Park Arsenal, and the IUOE-Local 150 Apprenticeship & Skill Improvement Training Center.
CenterPoint Intermodal Center - Elwood, IL Intermodal transportation is the principal use for the CenterPoint Intermodal Center. The site provides the space and connections necessary to provide for one or multiple rail companies to develop major trans-loading facilities. Companies relying on close proximity to intermodal facilities will have the benefit of direct access to rail sidings. The potential benefit of multiple rail companies at one site ensures more competitive pricing.
ProLogis Park Arsenal - Wilmington, IL
STRATEGIC LOCATION
This 775-acre project is designed to accommodate regional and super regional distribution centers. At full build out, the park will accommodate approximately 10 million square feet of distribution space. It will be targeted to the largest global users of distribution space who will be attracted by the transportation infrastructure.
• SW corner of the I-55 industrial corridor
International Union of Operating Engineers — Local 150 Apprenticeship & Skill Improvement Training Center - Wilmington, IL
• Largest industrial market in the United States
Due to the increased need for skilled men and women in the operating engineering trade, there also came a need for a larger training facility. Wilmington was the ideal location—centrally located and closer to the development sites, and sites that are to come. This facility will help working men and women upgrade current skills and learn new ones while providing much-needed economic development in the region.
• Fastest growing county in Illinois • Premier transportation/distribution network • Wealth of available resources • Massive land parcels unconstrained by urban development
DIVISION OF THE PROPERTY • The U.S. Forest Service was given 19,000 acres for the creation of the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, the only park dedicated to the restoration of native Midwest prairie. • The Department of Veteran Affairs was given 982 acres to establish the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, the 117th national cemetery. • The Army transferred 3,000 acres to The Joliet Arsenal Development Authority for economic development. • Will County was provided with 455 acres to develop the Prairie View Landfill • U.S. Fifth Army Training Center 3,000 acres
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
Phone: 815-722-9700• Fax: 815-722-9755 • Email: info@jada.org 3180 Theodore St., Ste. 103, Joliet, IL. 60435
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