Orland Park pairs UChicago Medical Center lease with redevelopment plan to fund Heroes Park and downtown projects

Orland Park officials presented an amended redevelopment plan that pairs a University of Chicago Medical Center (UCMC) ground lease with an amended and restated redevelopment agreement intended to fund downtown improvements, city programming and infrastructure.

The village said UCMC will develop a medical facility in the downtown district that the presentation says will create “hundreds of jobs,” increase weekday foot traffic and attract complementary retail and a regional brand. The plan pairs the ground lease with the redevelopment agreement to realign responsibilities, add performance safeguards and secure predictable revenue to advance long-planned improvements in downtown Orland Park.

The presentation said parking access will remain protected: the garage will provide weekday access for UCMC while evenings and weekends will remain open to the public. Projected revenue outlined in the presentation includes roughly $10.16 million in ground rent over 25 years and $322,500 annually from leased garage stalls, in addition to TIF and business-district revenue; those funds are earmarked to offset Heroes Park construction, debt service and long-term operations, reducing pressure on the village’s general fund.

Heroes Park is described as a year-round public gathering place to be programmed by the village, with a seasonal ice rink and a perpetual park covenant to ensure long-term stewardship. Construction was scheduled in the presentation to begin in late summer and conclude in the summer of 2027.

Parcel C is reserved for a performing arts center while the village conducts due diligence. The presentation said that if the village delivers its commitment to the project, construction must begin within 36 months; otherwise development rights revert to keep the site active. Separately, the presenter said a downtown Orland Park East redevelopment area north of 143rd Street between Lagrange and John Humphrey Drive will be established within 12 months to accelerate investment in that corridor.

The presentation closed by noting that, with approval of the amended and restated redevelopment agreement and a UCMC letter of intent, the village can continue to advance the downtown plans. The transcript contains no recorded vote or formal council action on the items.