Jefferson St. could have a summer of renewal

Jefferson Street is getting a makeover in more ways than one even though redevelopment is behind schedule in some spots.

A Joliet councilwoman last week raised concerns again about the condition of the site where the old Senor Tequila restaurant was demolished.

But that project, others along Jefferson Street, and the road itself could be a work in progress this summer.

The Illinois Department of Transportation this week announced it will resurface a 2.8-mile stretch of Jefferson Street from Joyce Road to North Bluff Street starting July 6.

The road project is scheduled to run into late November and could coincide with several redevelopment projects along Jefferson Street, depending on when they start.

“I think Jefferson Street is looking good,” said Economic Development Committee Chairman Larry Hug, pointing to plans for new business. “It’s just a matter of continuing filling holes with development.”

Projects include:

• Conversion of the closed Kmart at Jefferson and Larkin Avenue into a mixed-use center anchored by a Tony’s Finer Foods supermarket

• Relocation of the Bookie Magee’s Hideaway and OTB into the former Subaru dealership at 2200 W. Jefferson St.

• Opening of an Amigeaux restaurant with Cajun menu in the former Arby’s location at 2307 W. Jefferson St.

• Remodeling of the former Boston Fresh Market at 1866 W. Jefferson St. for a Pop’s Italian Beef and Sausage

• Re-use of the closed Baker’s Square restaurant at 2211 W. Jefferson St. for an independently owned restaurant

• Construction of a new Basinger’s Pharmacy at 2219 W. Jefferson St., where the old Senor Tequila restaurant was demolished in April

The Senor Tequila site for months has drawn the attention of the city, which filed a public nuisance suit before the building was torn down.

Councilwoman Jan Quillman at last week’s council meeting urged city staff to prod Basinger’s on the project.

“We finally get it torn down, but it’s just an eyesore now,” Quillman said. “It looks terrible. I’ve been getting complaints.”

The Basinger’s plan goes back to 2017, when the city approved zoning variances for the site.

But Basinger’s owner Harish Bhatt said the city itself is the reason for the most recent delay, having ordered him to seal a well on the site after demolition.

“All these years the city didn’t do anything,” Bhatt said. “All of a sudden at the start of the construction, we had to go get a company to seal the well.”

Bhatt, who acquired the property for the Basinger’s store, said the well is now sealed but he has to wait for a permit from the Will County Health Department before proceeding. He said he has building permits and will move ahead.

Basinger’s is not the only project moving more slowly than expected.

A representative from Tony’s Finer Foods told the council’s Economic Development Committee in December that the company had a target opening date of June for the new store, although he added that the timetable depended on progress at another Tony’s store under development.

Construction has yet not started, but Hug said he is not concerned about Tony’s.

“They’re moving ahead,” Hug said. “I haven’t heard anything different.”