'Officials mark halfway point of $30 million Robbins flood control, recreation project,' Daily Southtown

October 31, 2024

Daily Southtown: While a multimillion-dollar project at the halfway point in Robbins is aimed primarily at controlling flooding, Mayor Darren Bryant sees recreational opportunities as well, such as a boat launch and youth football field.

Bryant and other officials marked completion Thursday of the first phase of a project, called Robbins Heritage Park, that incorporates diverting floodwater from Midlothian Creek.

The full project is expected to wrap up in summer 2026 and, when done, will represent "a dawn of new opportunities" for Robbins in recreational and business development, said Kari Steele, president of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.

The $30 million project will remove about 140 acres from the flood plain, protect 92 structures and remove more than 1,300 parcels from the 100-year flood plain, according to the MWRD.

A diversion channel under construction will carry water overflowing the Midlothian Creek and direct it to the Calumet Sag Channel.

"We're halfway there and we've gotten an awful lot done," Gov. J.B. Pritzker said, as a light wind-driven rain pelted spectators.

The project, he said, will go a long way toward "mitigating long-term flooding and drainage issues," with the hope that new businesses and housing projects "can be planned for the long-term future of the community."

Thursday's celebration was completion of the first phase, which includes part of the diversion channel as well as a walkway leading to the Cal Sag. Earth excavated was pushed into a tiered mound, now covered with grass, and rock was pulled from a few feet below the surface to create ornamental features along the diversion channel and stabilize the banks, according to the district.

The land, at one point, was the site of apartments owned by the county's housing authority, which were demolished several years ago.

Bryant said an artificial turf football field is planned near the east side of the bank and will be used by Robbins youth sports teams.

Along with the diversion channel, the $30 million project includes excavating a detention pond, which will be bordered by 137th Street, Kedzie Avenue and Claire Boulevard. The pond will be able to hold 9 million gallons of water.

Bryant said Robbins relied greatly on outside sources of funding, and said there "is a realistic worry" about maintaining it once it is done. The mayor said the village would more than likely turn to those same partners down the road to help pay for ongoing maintenance.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said in 2023 the county received $84 million in federal funding for flood control projects, with attention being paid to work in the south suburbs, including $2.3 million for the Robbins project.

She said officials are "confident this project will alleviate much of the risk" of flooding in the village.

James Jennings, interim director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, said the investment in Robbins comes after the community has "long been unnoticed by a variety of agencies" for assistance.