Will County Gazette

The City of Joliet Land Use & Economic Development Committee met to discuss and recommend two companies to lead the city’s efforts in completing a long-term comprehensive plan. A comprehensive plan is a visioning document that guides community choices and civic investments based on local feedback. Joliet has not completed such a plan for nearly six decades, although these plans are typically updated every ten years.

Committee Chairperson Cesar Cardenas and Councilmen Cesar Guerrero and Pat Mudron reviewed and approved the two companies to undertake the work. The full city council will cast a final vote at a regularly scheduled meeting in late June.

Updating the comprehensive plan aims to help Joliet be more strategic in its capital improvements for current residents and stakeholders, while also assisting community development for future residents and businesses. Mayor Terry D’Arcy stated, “Our goal among the leadership is not only to figure out what our now looks like, but also what do we do next. We want the involvement of community stakeholders to help us design this path to the future. In addition, we want participation from the residents to make this plan a success.”

The process began with an RFQ issued by the city in October 2022, which received responses from six companies. An Evaluation Committee consisting of staff from five city divisions evaluated each submission based on professional qualifications, technical competence, experience, proposed plans, and understanding of Joliet’s challenges and opportunities. Three companies were selected for interviews in early December 2022.

The Evaluation Committee recommended Lamar Johnson Collaborative (LJC), which includes experts across various study areas necessary for completing the long-term comprehensive plan. City planner and project manager Jayne Bernhard remarked that city staff is “excited to now bring forth a project and process that will activate original thought, new approaches and design principles as well as position Joliet for transformative and inclusive growth, sustainable development and economic prosperity.”

LJC’s approach consists of five phases over an estimated 18-24 month timeline:

1. Evaluate: Project kick-off, branding, data collection, existing conditions analysis

2. Investigate: Key person interviews, community visioning public workshop

3. Enhance: Public workshop on key topic areas

4. Empower: Preparation of draft plan

5. Examine: Preparation of implementation plan

Given Joliet's size (approximately 63 square miles) and scope of work involved, the project cost is estimated at $581,000 over three fiscal years.

Urban3 was also recommended for performing a specialized Economic Analysis as part of the overall project. This analysis will evaluate how development impacts city finances and infrastructure to inform future policy decisions. Urban3’s fee proposal is $138,768; funding is anticipated in part through a $75,000 grant from the Joliet Arsenal Development Authority (JADA).