A new warehouse building has been approved for 37.2 acres within the boundaries of Lewis Airport in Romeoville.
Trustees earlier this month gave the go-ahead for a special-use permit and final development plan for Panattoni Development Company to construct a 675,787-square-foot warehouse on land it will lease from the Joliet Regional Port District, which owns and operates the airport,. The site, which is now farmed with corn and soybeans, is not far from the airport’s two runways.
The building will have 140 docking doors and 178 trailer parking spaces, according to documents. The property will be separated from the airport and accessible from Southcreek Parkway
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Mayor John Noak, who also serves as a trustee for the port district, said the warehouse development will create revenue for the district. He added that federal and state agencies had to approve the project, too.
“It’s exciting for all the parties involved (to do this).” Noak said. “It was a lengthy process.”
The village board also signed off on three commercial projects for the Route 53 corridor area.
Car Care Collision Centers will convert a 24,000-square-foot building at 1301 Naperville Drive into a collision repair shop. The former skating rink building and property will also offer car rental and towing services, and have new signage, landscaping and entrance/exit improvements.
Just down the road from the collision center, a new bar and restaurant has been approved for 201 E. Romeo Road. The owners of Reilly’s Roadhouse told the board that the remodeling of the 7,000-square-foot building is almost finished. It will include a banquet area and will offer catering.
Lastly, a Burger King restaurant at 304 N. Independence will undergo extensive remodeling, according to documents. The building was constructed in 1976 and it was last remodeled in the mid- 1980s.The owner, Tri City Foods, will update curbs, gutters and landscaping to conform to village standards.
“Revitalizing the Route 53 corridor is a priority for the village,” said Noak in a statement. “We look forward to these improvements and to welcome the businesses.”
Ruzich is a freelance reporter.
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