Robbins Mayor lays out plans for Village

Darren E. Bryant is the Mayor of the Village of Robbins. He is addressing issues going on in the Village and has plans for workforce and economic development, as well as plans to improve the Village’s infrastructure. PHOTO PROVIDED BY SEAN HOWARD
Darren E. Bryant is the Mayor of the Village of Robbins. He is addressing issues going on in the Village and has plans for workforce and economic development, as well as plans to improve the Village’s infrastructure. PHOTO PROVIDED BY SEAN HOWARD

 Robbins Mayor lays out plans for Village

By Tia Carol Jones

A water crisis. Little economic development. A food desert. No workforce development. These are some of the challenges facing the Village of Robbins. But, Robbins Mayor Darren E. Bryant is committed to facing those challenges head on and improving the prospects of the Village.

According to Bryant, Robbins has a 41% poverty rate. Part of Bryant’s plan to improve career opportunities and workforce development within the Village, is to turn a building into the Robbins Resource Center. It will house a job training center for union jobs, GED programs, as well as provide social services.

Bryant’s plan for economic development also includes building a municipal-owned commercial facility on the corner of 137th and Claire, within the Village’s downtown district. It would include a grocery store and other retail. The project is estimated to cost $2 million, and the plan is to start construction in the latter part of this year.

When it comes to the water crisis in the Village, Bryant has been in talks with the City of Chicago, and is also seeking help from the federal government to remedy the problem, which includes the replacement of lead-lined pipes and to  stop underground leakages.

In October, police officers in the Village of Robbins walked out on the job. Days later, they were back on the job and Bryant and his administration were meeting with the Illinois Council of Police to bring a resolution to the situation. Since then, Bryant and Police Chief David Sheppard have offered the officers new bullet proof vests. When Bryant was sworn in, there were four surveillance cameras in the Village, now there are 12. Increasing the number of surveillance cameras in the community is a step toward improving public safety. 
Speed bumps in school zones and recreation areas have also been installed to keep the community safe. There also is a 40% increase in pay to all officers.

“We’re making strides from an administrative standpoint the best way we can, looking at the budget from a fiscal standpoint and making sure we get back cuts,” Bryant said.  The appropriation budget for the Village of Robbins is $5 million. The administration has spent $4.05 million since May 11, 2021.

Looking ahead to Bryant’s first year in office, he has learned there are a lot of needs to address in the Village. He also has learned while it is imperative to have a comprehensive plan for the entire Village, smaller plans for each Village department are necessary to keep it moving.

Bryant believes economic development for the Village of Robbins includes residential development, commercial and retail development.

According to Bryant, the Village still owns 1200 to 1400 parcels of land. The municipal affidavit for exemptions was updated in 2021. Now Village parcels can be sold, which will go toward Robbin’s residential development.

There are plans on the table for the Anaerobic Digester Facility in the Village. The 17- plus acre facility is set for the site where the Waste to Energy facility was once located at 13400 S. Kedzie Ave.  in Robbins, Ill.

The Anaerobic Digester, which is being redeveloped by Sustainable BioWorks, LLC, is expected to open in late 2023 and bring 135 full-time jobs to the Village.

 An estimated $28 million leaves Robbins and is spent in surrounding municipalities. Bryant wants to see that money come back into the Village and stimulate its economy.

“You have to build up the residents in order to have a productive economy. We want to make sure our residents are able to participate in the economy. We’re doing that through the workforce training of the Robbins Resource Center, so our people can be ready to participate in industrial, participate in residential and participate through purchasing and sales tax,” Bryant said.

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