Groundbreaking held for downtown Orland Park development; developer and mayor outline project, past disputes

Edwards Realty Company and village officials held a ceremonial groundbreaking in Orland Park to mark the start of construction on the long‑planned downtown Orland Park development, speakers said. Aaron Gadell, vice president of tenant relations and marketing for Edwards Realty Company, introduced Mayor Keith Beacock and developer representatives at the event.

The project will include a mix of shopping, restaurants, entertainment, daycare and fitness uses clustered around what speakers described as a “world class community park,” plus office space and seasonal amenities such as winter ice skating at Heroes Park. Developers and village leaders said the work will proceed in phases and will begin with utility relocation and land development.

Why it matters: the downtown redevelopment has been discussed in Orland Park for decades and, according to remarks at the ceremony, was previously tied to controversial land acquisitions and significant financial losses for the village. Mayor Keith Beacock used his remarks at the ceremony both to celebrate the new start and to criticize prior decisions he said left the village with legacy obligations.

Edwards Realty representatives and village staff Aaron Gadell opened the ceremony for Edwards Realty Company, saying the firm is “honored and grateful to have the opportunity to help shape this key piece of property in the Orland Park community.” Ramsey Hassan, identified at the podium as president of Edwards Realty (and introduced as a resident and business owner), thanked staff and family and said the developer would announce new tenants soon. “Downtown Orland Park will open in phases with a projected full completion in the fall of 2027,” Hassan said.

Mayor’s remarks and past controversies Mayor Keith Beacock framed the event as the end of a long effort and used part of his speech to recount disagreements with previous officials over the project’s history. Beacock said the village previously “lost 47,000,000, and we're still on the hook for about 8,000,000 more in legacy improvements,” and he criticized earlier uses of eminent domain and other decisions that, he said, prolonged the project’s timeline. He also disputed a claim he attributed to opponents that the village used taxpayer money improperly and described the village as the property owner, saying the parcel “pays 0 property tax.”

Beacock addressed questions about tax‑increment financing, saying that when the TIF ends schools would stand to receive an annual amount he described verbally during his remarks; he did not provide supporting documentation at the ceremony. Beacock also recounted an exchange with a former official about whether eminent domain was used to assemble property and said that prior actions included a road routed through leased parcels.

Project scope, timing and village contributions Speakers described village contributions as targeted to legacy obligations rather than developer profit. Beacock said village spending covered roughly $8 million “to move utilities that were in the middle of the park,” build parking and fund enhancements to Heroes Park and the surrounding infrastructure. Aaron Gadell and Ramsey Hassan said construction will start with utility relocation and site work; Hassan said the full development would be completed in phases and again gave a projected full completion date of fall 2027. Earlier in the program one speaker said the project was “expected to be completed by the end of next year,” creating two different timeline statements at the event.

No formal council actions were taken during the ceremony. The event was a ceremonial groundbreaking and not presented as a council meeting or a moment for votes.

What’s next Speakers said building construction will proceed after initial utility work and that Edwards Realty will announce tenants and additional program details “very shortly.” The ceremony closed with a call to “move some dirt” and celebration of the project’s start.