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Michelin breaks ground at RidgePort

home : free press advocate : free press advocate July 30, 2014 7/29/2014 10:10:00 PM Michelin breaks ground at RidgePort Expect vertical development this summer Pam Monson Editor THE WILMINGTON CONNECTION — representatives of the city and township of Wilmington celebrated the groundbreaking of the Michelin distribution facility last Wednesday, including (from left) Attorney Scott Nemanich, partner in Hinshaw and Culbertson LLC, Wilmington Township road commissioner Bill Weidling, Fire Chief Tim Zlomie, city engineer Colby Zemaitis, ESDA director Dennis Housman, Fourth Ward Alderman Steve Evans, Police Chief Darin Plotts, Fire district trustee John Cairns, Ridge Development CEO Jim Martell, city administrator Tony Graff and Mayor Marty Orr. The Michelin project will go vertical this year, and be completed next summer. The second tenant in the RidgePort Logistics Center broke ground on a 1.7-million square foot facility last week, which will create over 200 construction jobs and as many new employment  opportunities. Michelin is expanding its distribution operation in Illinois with a state-of-the-art facility at the  logistics center on the west side of Interstate 55 at Lorenzo Road. It will be moving out of a  facility in Monee that is too small and not expandable. Jim Martell, CEO of Ridge Development, the developer of the RidgePort Logistics Center in Wilmington, said the site's location alongside I-55 and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad  line was a tremendous differentiating factor for his company to become involved in the project. "To be able to have rail service, to be able to have the infrastructure of I-55, and now the  potential of the Illiana Expressway really, really enhances this part of metropolitan Chicago, Will County and the city of Wilmington," Martell said. Mayor Marty Orr would like to think Michelin selected the Wilmington site because of how the city did business with the company, one of the largest tire manufacturers in the world; but he  knows there was more to it. "I think it was a combination of things; the location by I-55 and the Burlington Northern; the  diverse market for the jobs they were seeking in Will County, and in a small way, the city of  Wilmington and the economic incentive packages we offer this type of business to come into Wilmington." The Michelin project will create 200 permanent jobs, which makes the company eligible to  receive more than  $2 million in sales tax exemptions and $126,000 in job training grants from the state. Michelin will have to retrain 100 of the Monee workers for positions in Wilmington to tap some of those  incentives. "There are a lot of blue collar people in our community, so we're excited to bring any type of  job creation that allows them to work close to home, so they don't have to travel," Orr said. The mayor expects those new jobs will offer pay in the $15 range. The Wilmington City Council also approved nearly $400,000 in utility tax breaks and will abate  some of the facility's property taxes. "The project is a big first step in the actual development of RidgePort," commented Orr. "To have not only a large distribution facility, but a company that's as reputable as Michelin  to choose the city of Wilmington over other areas in Illinois and adjoining states ... I think it's a  great step." Ledcor Construction Inc. is the general contractor. Peter Gasparini, regional manager for Ledcor,  said the project affectionately code named Project Lego will be a 40-acre building built on  90 acres of land. By the time it's complete, Ledcor and its subcontractors will have installed over 1,200 insulated pre-cast panels totaling more than 435,000 square feet of pre-cast. With the  installation of 5,700 joists, columns and beams, Ledcor will have erected nearly 7,000 tons of steel; delivered, fabricated and erected on site. Safety will be ensured by 18,000 sprinkler heads and over 1.5 million gallons of fire protection water supply stored on site. Michelin's confidence in the RidgePort project, as well as more than $8 million in infrastructure  work already completed at the logistics center, is expected to generate more interest in the location. Mayor Orr believes the city could attract some light manufacturing businesses as well as warehouses - there are a lot of acres for diversity, he said. Gasparini said the project will go vertical this year. Michelin is expected to take possession in  summer 2015. Martell also used the groundbreaking ceremony to explain that Graaskamp Boulevard, the main  thoroughfare into the logistics center, was named after Dr. James "the Chief" Graaskamp,  professor of Real Estate at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, who is nationally renown for his real estate savvy and for starting the number one real estate education program in the country. The logistics center's first tenant, McKay TransCold, opened its facility along the rail line in May.

Local State Rep. brings constituent service resources to area communities

Anthony announces Traveling Office Hours State Rep. John Anthony (R-Morris) has announced upcoming traveling office hours to serve residents of Kendall, Grundy, LaSalle and Will Counties at convenient locations in their communities. A representative from Rep. Anthony’s office will be present at each location to meet with constituents and address questions or concerns related to legislation and state government. The traveling office hours will be visiting the communities of Wilmington, Diamond, Seneca, Mazon, Minooka and Plano. “This is a good opportunity for residents to meet with our staff and discuss issues of concern to local families,” Rep. Anthony said.  “Traveling office hours are a great way for us to hear from constituents face-to-face and share how our office can help answer questions and offer valuable state resources.” The schedule for Rep. Anthony’s Traveling Office Hours is as follows: Tuesday, July 29 Wilmington City Hall – Council Chambers Room                  1165 S Water Street TIME: 9:30-11:30am                                                                                        ____________________ Diamond Village Hall 1750 Main Street TIME: 12:30-2:30pm Thursday, July 31 Seneca Village Hall                                                                                           340 N Cash Street TIME: 9:30-11:30am __________________                                                                                   Mazon State Bank 606 Depot Street TIME: 12:30-2:30pm Wednesday, August 6 Minooka Village Hall – Community Room                                              121 McEvilly Road TIME: 9:30-11:30am ___________________                                                                                    Plano Public Library 15 W North Street TIME: 1:00-3:00pm Constituents are also welcome to call and make an appointment to meet at Rep. Anthony’s District Office located at 3605 N. State Route 47, Suite F in Morris. For questions or more information, please call Rep. Anthony’s office at (815) 416-1475. ### John Anthony http://www.repanthony.com/

Vehicle stickers for 2014-2015

Vehicle stickers for 2014-2015 will go on sale Friday, August 1, 2014, at City Hall, 1165 S. Water Street. City Hall is open Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. All owners that have vehicles registered within Wilmington city limits are required to purchase and display a current City of Wilmington vehicle sticker.
Forms will be mailed with the August utility billing. If you do not receive a form please stop by City Hall to pick one up or download the form by visiting www.wilmington-il.com.
The last day to purchase vehicle stickers at the regular rate is Tuesday, September 30, 2014.
REMEMBER:
• 2014-2015 stickers are valid from September 30, 2014 – September 30, 2015. The sticker must be displayed on the lower right (passenger side) of the windshield. Vehicles failing to display current stickers will be ticketed
• Senior citizen rates apply to a resident 62 years and older during the current sticker year. A valid driver's license and vehicle registration must be provided with the first year request for the reduced fee. A senior citizen rate of $5 per vehicle sticker with a limit of 2 per household per year.
• Residents under the age of 62 who have been awarded social security disability benefits are also entitled to a discounted city sticker at the $5 rate. The benefit award letter, the vehicle registration, and a valid driver's license must be shown to receive the reduced rate of $5 per vehicle sticker with a limit of 2 per household per year.
• License plate numbers are required on all applications. The only exception to this is if the plates for a new car have not yet been received. New residents and newly purchased car owners have 30 days to purchase and display stickers, regardless of whether or not the plates have been received.
• Pet licenses are sold at the same time. Pet owners must provide the current rabies number and expiration date.
The fee structure for 2014-2015 vehicle stickers is as follows:
Fees from August 1st to September 30th

Motorized Vehicle.………………... $25.00 each

Motorized Vehicle over 1 ton……. $30.00 each

Electric Motor Vehicle……………. $10.00 each

Senior Citizen - 62 or older…………... $5.00 each
(Limit two per household)

Disabled - with documentation…… $5.00 each
(Limit two per household)

Motorcycle, Moped……………….. $10.00 each

Delinquent Fees on or after October 1st

Motorized Vehicle.………………... $50.00 each

Motorized Vehicle over 1 ton……. $60.00 each

Electric Motor Vehicle……………. $20.00 each

Senior Citizen - 62 or older…………. $10.00 each
(Limit two per household)

Disabled - with documentation….. $10.00 each
(Limit two per household)

Motorcycle, Moped……………….. $20.00 each

City Council Meeting 7-15-2014

Residents invited to Illiana meeting in Wilmington July 16.

Attached is the press release for the informational meeting being hosted by Will County Board member Ragan Freitag on the proposed Illiana Expressway on Wednesday, July 16 from 5pm to 7pm at Wilmington City Hall. Will County’s Ombudsman Attorney Michael Hansen will be available to answer questions from property owners who may be affected by the pending $1.3-billion development of the 47-mile Illiana Expressway.

Evans takes oath of office

Courtesy of the Freepress 7/8/2014 Evans takes oath of office Son takes over where mom left off

ALDERMAN STEVE EVANS Pam Monson Editor Helen Hoppe was in the audience at Tuesday's City Council meeting, while her son, Steve Evans, was sworn in to take her seat on the council. Hoppe was re-elected to a four-year term on the council in spring 2013. Due to health concerns, Hoppe has had to relinquish her position as alderman representing the residents of the Fourth Ward, which is on the west side of the Kankakee River. Mayor Marty Orr announced in May that he was looking for an individual interested in taking Hoppe's place. He approached Evans. Evans served as a Florence Township trustee for seven years, and was reluctant to return to the public life. "I thought about it a lot, if I wanted to get back into it," Evans said. Hoppe pledged her support, and he decided to give it a try. He will represent the people of the ward until one can be elected in the April 7, 2015, Consolidated Election. He could also choose to run to keep the office. "That's what I'm there for," he commented. Residents can expect Evans to stand for a clean, well-maintained community; respect and communication between council members; and a dedication to proper procedure. He anticipates working issues out with fellow council members before bringing them to the table for consideration. Evans owns Evans Lawn and Garden, and manages the Davy Industrial Park.

City Council Meeting 7-8-2014

Welcome Alderman Evans