Walsh: NorthPoint would undoubtedly destroy our area

Longtime Will County Executive Larry Walsh voiced his opposition in no uncertain terms to the proposed massive NorthPoint Development business park, arguing it would cause "irreparable damage" to the county.

In a letter sent Monday, Walsh detailed why a project like the proposed Compass Business Park would be harmful to the county and urged Joliet city officials to "reflect on the negative regional and local impacts and oppose" the project.

"If NorthPoint is successful, it will mark the beginning of the end of Will County as we know it," Walsh wrote in the letter.

Walsh argued that Will County has already experienced issues with infrastructure due to the growth of industrial warehousing and having become the home to the largest inland port in North America.

Walsh also explained that Will County recently launched a "desperately needed" land use and truck routing study titled "Moving Will County."

The study, which Walsh said could take as long as 18 to 24 months to complete, is needed in order to address such issues as safe truck routing, environmental safeguards and responsible use plans for the protection of Will County residents.

Walsh argued municipalities should not consider projects that he said would "compromise the integrity of this taxpayer funded study."

"After reviewing the current and past plans, NorthPoint Development would undoubtedly destroy our area," Walsh wrote. "Recklessly approving this project would cause monumental consequences, inhibit future growth and cause irreparable damage to our county."

Walsh also applauded Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar and New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann for opposing other large-scale projects and "doing what is best for their communities."

"To approve any large scale developments at this time, including NorthPoint's project, would sabotage the study and waste taxpayers' dollars," Walsh wrote. "Let's work toward a better Will County that keeps Will County moving while not forgetting about the people who live here. Our future depends on it."

NorthPoint originally came to Elwood with a proposal for the over 2,000 acre project but was ultimately turned away by Mayor Doug Jenco in 2018.

NorthPoint then announced it would approach Joliet for approval earlier this year.

On Feb. 24, the Joliet Plan Commission voted unanimously to recommend a pre-annexation agreement for the future Compass Business Park to the Joliet City Council.

The city council is expected to vote on the pre-annexation agreement at its meeting on March 17.