Westchester concrete company buys old Romeoville plant

ROMEOVILLE – A Westchester-based prestressed concrete company has purchased the site of an old concrete plant along Route 53 in Romeoville.

Illini Precast, a company that specializes in prestressed concrete for parking towers, bridges and big box structures, bought the plant, located across from Lewis University,
1 University Parkway, according to a news release from the village. The company also pledged to help in the beautification efforts on Route 53.

“This is an exciting situation,” Mayor John Noak said. “Not only do we have a new business coming into the area, but they’re immediately improving a property they just acquired and helping us to beautify one of the main entryways into town.”

The village has been working with Lewis University for the past year on plans to beautify the segment of Route 53 from Renwick Road to Airport Road, the release stated. This includes things such as burying overhead power lines, adding landscaping and screening the surrounding industrial uses.

Illini Precast will be chipping in, too, donating 280 feet of cement wall for screening by the Lewis entrance, as well as providing easements and funding for landscaping. The group also has agreed to improve its existing entrance with pavement.

Over the years, the plant had fallen into disrepair, but Illini Precast has begun cleaning up the site and making repairs to existing buildings. The company also will be making a few additions of its own, including a 40-foot expansion to the north end of the building and additional equipment.