Director of Community Development outlines business growth and proposes film-permit fee scaling

AJ Weir, director of community development, presented an extensive update on business and development activity in Blue Island, naming recent and pending projects including the WinTrust Bank building, Caliber Collision, Blue Island Fresh Market (2418 Vermont), Platinum Assets Truck Terminal and industrial prospects such as Modern Drop Forge. Weir said new and expanding businesses are creating jobs and that several storefronts long vacant are seeing redevelopment interest.

Weir also recommended formalizing communications about special events and film permits and said staff will bring language to the next meeting proposing a higher fee ceiling for major productions while being careful not to deter smaller community projects. “We get requests from Amazon, HBO, [and] Hallmark,” Weir said, noting one recent Hallmark shoot used the fire department for background shots. He described coordination with ComEd to upgrade power to support new restaurants and highlighted façade grants, pop-up retail and investor outreach as tools to reduce vacancy and spur reinvestment.

Weir's presentation led to questions from aldermen about truck-routing and street wear related to additional trucking terminals, and he said the city will require route restrictions for heavy vehicles and expect some operators to help maintain city parkway landscaping damaged by activity. The council heard updates on a water-main replacement and lead-line initiative that will require door-to-door outreach and QR-code forms for residents.