April 25, 2024
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CenterPoint has second lawsuit against Joliet

Developer alleges delays and denial for its own plans as city gave green light to NorthPoint

By Bob Okon
CenterPoint Intermodal Center complex in Joliet. Monday, Dec. 13, 2021 in Joliet.

CenterPoint Intermodal Center includes the Union Pacific intermodal yard in Joliet. (Gary Middendorf - gmiddendorf@shawmedia.com/Gary Middendorf)

CenterPoint Properties has filed a second lawsuit against Joliet alleging that the City Council acted “in retribution” in May when it denied zoning for further development of the CenterPoint Intermodal Center.

The retribution was linked to CenterPoint’s opposition to the controversial NorthPoint Development project, CenterPoint alleges.

The lawsuit filed in August lists delays and finally denial of CenterPoint’s requested zoning as the developer filed objections to the controversial NorthPoint project, which was proceeding through city approvals at the same time.

CenterPoint contends that it ran into city opposition for continued development of its CenterPoint Intermodal Center for the first time since 2008 after it filed objections to NorthPoint’s plans to develop an adjacent logistics center.

Construction crews begin to clear land at the site of the new NorthPoint Compass Business Park along Route 53. Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, in Joliet.

Construction crews clear land for NorthPoint Development's Third Coast Intermodal Hub in Joliet. (Gary Middendorf)

CenterPoint contends that the NorthPoint plans approved by the city violate its 2008 annexation agreement and a memorandum of understanding put in place before CenterPoint launched a joint venture to build the $130 million Houbolt Road bridge over the Des Plaines River now under construction.

CenterPoint filed a lawsuit, May 9, seeking to block the NorthPoint project because of the alleged violations of the memorandum of understanding concerning the Houbolt Road bridge project.

A week later, the City Council voted 7-1 against the CenterPoint’s proposal for continued development along Brandon Road.

Prior to that, the CenterPoint plan was stalled by the Plan Commission as that body requested traffic studies that had already been submitted to the city, according to the second lawsuit filed Aug. 10.

Board members Roberto Perez, left, Jason Cox and Marc Rousonelos listen toAttorney Chris Spesia speak at the Joliet Plan Commission meeting. Thursday, April 21, 2022, in Joliet.

Chris Spesia, attorney for CenterPoint Properties, speaks in April to the Joliet Plan Commission about the developer's plans along Brandon Road. (Gary Middendorf - gmiddendorf@shawmedia.com/Gary Middendorf)

CenterPoint in the lawsuit alleges that the council vote was “undertaken in bad faith” and that it “bears no relationship to any legislative purpose.”

Joliet Deputy City Attorney Chris Regis said the city would address the second lawsuit as it is the prior one from CenterPoint.

“Those items were presented to the City Council, and they voted how they voted,” Regis said of the council vote on May 17. “It’s in their purview to vote things up or down, and they voted it down.”

The lawsuit notes that city staff recommended approval of the Brandon Road development. It also states that CenterPoint had a consistent record of city approvals before it registered objections to the NorthPoint project.

NorthPoint’s Third Coast Intermodal Hub is being developed on the borders of the CenterPoint Intermodal Center. The NorthPoint project relies on roads inside the CenterPoint Intermodal Center to gain access to intermodal yards in Joliet and Elwood. The plan also proposes use of the Houbolt Road bridge.

CenterPoint is seeking a jury trial and a court order stating that the City Council acted in retribution and requiring the city to take actions to approve the Brandon Road development.