Homer Township officials on Monday approved building a $2.2 million civic center at the Trantina Farm in Homer Glen over the objections of some residents who urged the board to delay the plan to allow more public input.
Some of about 40 residents in attendance Monday said they felt the township board was moving too fast and wanted a chance to learn more about the center, 15774 151st St., before it was approved.
“There’s been a complete lack of transparency on this issue,” said Gail Snyder, a former Homer Glen trustee and longtime resident. “Based on what other governments do, they usually make a presentation to the public. They provide ample time for the public to comment. And in this case, we really haven’t had that.”
Homer Glen Mayor Christina Neitzke-Troike said the village needs more information about the project, including a stormwater plan, traffic study, environmental report, tree preservation plan, landscape plan and information about a handicapped accessible parking lot.
“We’re just asking if you guys wouldn’t mind pumping the brakes, have a meeting with the village, air some things out, talk about it as one large group, and more forward from there,” Neitzke-Troike said.
Former Homer Glen Trustee Gail Snyder said the township needs to allow more public input into plans for a civic center. (Michelle Mullins/for Daily Southtown)
Other residents said they were concerned the civic center was to be built on land dedicated as open space, and do not want the area’s natural beauty destroyed.
“People do not want to see a huge portion of open space at Trantina turned into a large parking lot with a big building,” said Sharon Sweas, a former Homer Glen trustee. “What residents once thought would be a simple pole barn has ballooned into some type of civic center.”
Homer Township Supervisor Steve Balich said the township board has worked on plans for the civic center since 2021, although they initially called it a community or event center before settling on the name civic center.
The planning process resulted from a November 2020 advisory referendum approved by about 64% of voters, Balich said.
That question, placed on the ballot by the previous township administration, asked if Homer Township should pursue grant funding without increasing or adding real estate taxes to construct a multipurpose, pole barn-style structure for educational, environmental, recreational and social community activities.
Resident Elizabeth Prokop said she voted against the referendum.
“We know that if you give anyone an inch, they are going to take a mile, and here we are,” Prokop said. “The people gave you the go-ahead to pursue grant funds, the key words there is grant funds. No one voted to let you spend a single penny on a pole barn, let alone what you’ve turned into a civic center.”
Homer Township Clerk Vicki Bozen, from left, Supervisor Steve Balich, center, and attorney Mike Hayes at Monday’s board meeting. (Michelle Mullins/for Daily Southtown)
Balich said the township received a $500,000 grant toward the civic center, and its grant writer is optimistic more grants will come forth, especially because it is designed to serve senior citizens, children and individuals with special needs.
He said the township board is not raising taxes for the project.
The board worked with Jay Bradarich, president of Landmark Construction Services, Inc., of Tinley Park, on a pre-engineered structure that will be 100 square feet, and more amenities will be added when grants are received.
Bradarich, who gave Monday’s presentation, said the center will be simple and economical, will house up to 200 people and will have 50 parking spaces. When funding is available to add a gym floor, it will offer a high school-sized basketball court.
Many of the studies Neitzke-Troike cited are either completed or in the works, Bradarich said.
Balich said he believes a vocal minority disagrees with the construction of the civic center and said it will be popular once it is built.
“We have nothing like this anywhere near Homer Township,” Balich said.
The project will be built in phases, Balich said. Future amenities will include a stage for theater programs and battle of the band events, a gym floor for activities such as wheelchair basketball, and a kitchen, Balich said. When complete, it will offer a place for seniors to have bingo or yoga, children to have after-school activities or camps and individuals with special needs to have recreational opportunities, he said.
“I can sit here for a half hour and just think of all the different uses,” Balich said. “It’s going to serve people from grade school to 100 years old.”
Homer Township Trustee Mike Bonomo, who chairs the board’s senior committee, said while bingo is usually conducted at a local church, there are occasions when they cannot be accommodated and venues have to be changed. This leads to confusion among some of the seniors, who then miss the event.
The civic center would be a centralized location for the seniors, he said.
“For seniors to have a place to go, and it’s always been a goal, without any strings attached, to be able to hang out, camaraderie, how can you say no to something like that?” Bonomo said.
Balich said he does not want the civic center to be used for weddings or funerals and compete with other area businesses.
Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
