Review the Environmental Impact for the Kerr-McGee Park Project & Provide Comments by September 13

The City of West Chicago has been awarded a $2 million grant to help fund the transformation* of the former Kerr-McGee industrial site into a cutting-edge Community Park. This redevelopment aims to provide a range of amenities including a therapeutic playground, walking paths, a monarch butterfly garden, multi-use fields, and a community gathering space for festivals. The project is part of the ongoing remediation efforts at the site, which has been cleared of radioactive contamination. The park design also includes accessibility features and a new pathway linking it to the existing Pioneer Park, enhancing community connectivity.

As part of the grant process, an Environmental Review (ER) has been prepared by Civil Environmental Consultants (CEC) to assess the project's impact. A 15-day public comment period is open through Friday, September 13, 2024, allowing residents to review and provide feedback on the Environmental Review. The review documents are available online and at City Hall for public inspection. Comments can be submitted online, or can be done in-person at City Hall.

*The awarded $2 million grant is intended to fund only a portion of the redevelopment of the property. The estimated total cost to complete the Community Park Master Plan provided by the City's consultant, Upland Design, is approximately $15 million. An update to this article was made on September 10, 2024 to clarify the overall cost of the development.