The completion of the Lawndale Fleet Storage Yard marks the end of Hilco Redevelopment Partners' (HRP) project in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood. The development has transformed the former site of the Crawford coal-fired power plant into the Exchange55 Target Flow Center and adjacent Lawndale fleet yard, creating a modern, sustainable logistics hub bringing thousands of new jobs.
In a statement provided to the Southland Marquee, James Sweeney, President of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150, said that the ”partnership with Hilco Redevelopment Partners to deliver Exchange55 in Little Village… that employs thousands of workers in good-paying jobs is a prime example of what can be achieved when companies make an investment in our workers and our communities.”
Jaime di Paulo, President & CEO of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, also praised the project for attracting investment to the city's industrial corridors and supporting economic growth in Little Village.
“Hilco Redevelopment Partners’ (HRP) conversion of the former Crawford power plant into a vibrant and sustainable logistics hub in Little Village is a prime example of the type of investment we need to attract to the often-overlooked industrial corridors of our city.”
“[T]his project, which will generate direct jobs and multiply local small businesses in Chicago’s second commercial corridor, will be the engine of new development for a region that has been demanding quality investment for decades.”
The redevelopment and construction of the Exchange55 Target Flow Center created over 600 union construction jobs, and the facility now employs thousands of workers. Adding to this the Lawndale Fleet Storage Yard project has added approximately 125 additional union construction jobs as the Lawndale project's General Contractor entered into a Project Labor Agreement, committing to hire union labor for various trades, according to an update on the project from Hilco.
Citing the “100% union labor” construction and the millions of dollars to minority and women-owned businesses, union president James Sweeney is proud of the work the Local 150 has done with Hilco.
“There is no better example of what success looks like than our partnership with Hilco Redevelopment Partners to deliver Exchange55 in Little Village, Chicago’s largest LEED-certified industrial facility,” Sweeney said.
On April 27, HRP will host a community update to address local residents' concerns and provide updates on the fleet storage yard progress.
Key construction updates expected at the meeting include the completion of the Earth Retention System (ERS) installation and the announcement of landscaping plans, which involve planting 466 native trees.
During the meeting, HRP will announce the launch of their annual internship and scholarship programs.
The Summer 2023 Internship Program offers a six-week paid internship focusing on brownfield site redevelopment. The Hilco Scholars Program, exclusive to Little Village residents, will grant two new $5,000 scholarships for the 2023-24 academic year, with an additional $5,000 scholarship for the 2024-25 academic year if scholars maintain enrollment.
The Lawndale Target Fleet Storage Yard project aims to create long-term economic opportunities for the community. The Lawndale Property, previously a minimally maintained gravel lot used for various operations, will now generate jobs and support local small businesses. The project has entered the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's Voluntary Site Remediation Program to achieve a comprehensive "no further remediation" determination.
The 70-acre site on Chicago's Southwest side was previously home to the Crawford coal-fired power plant, which closed in 2012 due to environmental concerns. In 2017, HRP purchased the site and has since developed the state-of-the-art logistics facility Exchange55, which was leased to Target in 2019 and is now operational and employing thousands of workers.
Exchange55, has introduced new public infrastructure improvements, such as a multi-use pathway for bikes and pedestrians and intersection upgrades to improve safety. These improvements make the newly created jobs more accessible by walking, biking, or public transportation.