Robbins receives $20 million from MWRD for stormwater project

The Village of Robbins has received $20 million from Metropolitan Water Reclamation District for the Robbins Stormwater Park and Midlothian Creek Restoration Project. PHOTO PROVIDED BY SEAN HOWARD.
The Village of Robbins has received $20 million from Metropolitan Water Reclamation District for the Robbins Stormwater Park and Midlothian Creek Restoration Project. PHOTO PROVIDED BY SEAN HOWARD.

 Robbins receives $20 million from MWRD for stormwater project

 BY TIA CAROL JONES
The Village of Robbins has received $20 million from the
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. The funds will go toward
the Robbins Stormwater Park and Midlothian Creek Restoration
Project.

The green infrastructure project’s first objective is to mitigate the flooding, located off Kedzie, between 137th and 139th. The project includes two phases, the first of which broke ground on Friday, Aug. 12.

The first phase of the project is a diversion channel that connects the Cal-Sag River toward the Midlothian Creek. Not only will the project reduce the flooding, it will also provide opportunities for recreational development, with football fields, baseball diamonds and beautification. The hope is that the project will bring economic development, for example mixed-use developments, along 139th Street.

In recent years, with climate change and heavy rains, Robbins Mayor Darren Bryant said the Village has experienced large flooding along Kedzie and 137th Street.

The Village of Robbins is located at the bottom of the Midlothian Creek floodplain. According to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the project will increase the stormwater drainage system from less than a five-year storm level of protection to a 100-year level of service. And, the project will remove approximately 140 acres from the floodplain, protect 92 structures and remove more than 1,300 parcels from the 100- year floodplain.

The first phase is expected to be completed Spring 2023. The second phase of the project is to create a retention pond that would drain into the Cal-Sag River. The second phase is set to be bidded out in 2023.

Bryant estimates it will cost $33 million to upgrade the stormwater system across the Village of Robbins, as well as repair streets in the Village. In addition to this, the Village has two pumping stations, which need improvements. The cost for pumping station improvements is estimated at $3 million. In addition to improving the Village’s infrastructure, the project also will create jobs.

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner
Kimberly Du Buclet highlighted that “she is excited to see the
more than $20 million dollar investment happening in the Village
of Robbins. This catalytic investment in the Robbins community
will help mitigate flooding, while creating recreational and economic development opportunities for the residents in the area. We are all looking forward to the long-term benefits for the region.”

“I just want to thank MWRD President Kari Steele and all the
partners that came together for this project. This project will help
the economic growth of the Village. It is definitely needed for the
flooding that occurs in homes,” Bryant said, adding the projectw ill
also contribute to the forward motion of that area, where the transit-
oriented district, as well as the economic and recreational growth,
is concerned.

Bryant believes having a park will help to combat youth violence and crime and provide opportunities for young people to participate in recreational activities in the Village.

“Having sports and recreation and the opportunity to play foo-t ball and baseball and get introduced to some amenities we’ve never had can help combat that and reduce youth violence and youth crime
is very beneficial to our future,” he said.

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