Joliet council votes Tuesday on Dunkin' on 6 Corners

A proposal to build a new Dunkin' doughnuts and coffee shop that stalled a month ago for a traffic study now looks ready to go.

The plan goes to the Joliet City Council for a vote Tuesday with a green light from the committee that delayed it previously and words of support from the mayor.

“It’s going to be great to see the corner get developed again,” Mayor Bob O’Dekirk told the Dunkin’ owner who appeared at a workshop meeting of the council on Monday.

They also have the support of 147 neighbors who signed a petition in favor of the Dunkin’. The company last year shortened its name from Dunkin’ Donuts, although that’s how it still reads on many store signs.

“When we were going door to door, people were excited,” owner Mike Patel said. He owns three other Dunkin’ shops, including a location in Crest Hill.

Council member Larry Hug, chairman of the Public Service Committee, continued to question possible traffic problems at the Joliet location when the committee met before the council meeting.

Among his concerns was the use of traffic numbers from a 2010 count by the Illinois Department of Transportation, because current traffic numbers are not considered useful because of reduced driving amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s a long time ago,” Hug said. “Can we justify a 10-year-old traffic study as something that’s dependable?”

The traffic study was done by a firm hired by the owner.

But Russ Lubash, traffic engineer for the city, said he does not think the numbers would have changed much since 2010.

The Dunkin’ would go on a vacant lot at 800 Raynor Ave., on a corner of Raynor and Ruby Street that is across an alley from the Thayer Bros. Deli & Grille.

It would have full access from Raynor but right-turn-only entry from Ruby. There is no exit onto Ruby because of its proximity to the intersection.

Hug was particularly concerned about left-turns off the property onto Raynor, but said he could approve the plan with a condition to be added that would allow the city to limit times when left-turns can be made if they become a problem.