Blue Island's Vacant Land Gets New Life

Blue Island is set to revitalize 90 acres of city-owned land near 119th & Division streets, which has remained vacant for decades. City officials have approved a lease agreement with OmniTRAX, a private railroad transportation company, aiming to boost city revenue and create local employment opportunities.

Under the terms of the lease, OmniTRAX will provide the city with 8% of its net revenue generated from the property annually, in addition to an initial annual rent. The company plans to establish a logistics hub featuring bulk commodity rail to truck transloading, along with secure truck, trailer, and container storage. This development is projected to be completed by the end of 2026.

Mayor Fred Bilotto highlighted the project's importance, stating that the land previously generated no tax revenue or economic benefit. He emphasized that transforming such underutilized sites is a key priority for the city's growth. The logistics hub is anticipated to attract new business activity and strengthen the region's transportation network, revitalizing land that has been unproductive for generations.