New Ford Heights Family Dollar Store is 1st step in redeveloping Rt. 30 Corridor

In the shadow of the Chicago Heights Ford Motor Company Chicago Stamping Plant, ground was broken on May 19th in Ford Heights for a Family Dollar Store in a special ceremony hosted by Mayor Charles Griffin. The store will be located near the northeast corner of Route 30 (Lincoln Highway) and Cottage Grove Avenue, and one door east of the Sharks at 801 E. Lincoln Highway. Village officials anticipate that it will generate up to 20 jobs.

In 2009 Mayor Griffin was elected to his first term as mayor, and he was reelected to a second term in 2013. During this term he spearheaded the development of Ford Heights’ first TIF district along U.S. Route 30 and Cottage Grove Avenue. The village also offered Family Dollar other incentives such as an enterprise zone and Class 8.

Family Dollar is hopefully the first of many commercial entities to invest in the redevelopment on Lincoln Highway on Cottage Grove to Deer Creek. Griffin’s administration has plans to demolish condemned vacant properties along Lincoln Highway and for retail economic development along that route from Cottage Grove Avenue to Torrence Avenue, and mixed industrial, manufacturing and retail development on Joe Orr Road. More photos are here.  A related story is here in the Southland Voice.