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Residents group, developer react to Alsberry statement

Arizona developer Walt Brown, Jr. said he still plans to work with Hazel Crest and Mayor Vernard Alsberry despite a social media video criticizing plans for a development at the site of the former Calumet Country Club. 

For the first time Tuesday, Alsberry said he does not support the planned distribution warehouse. Homewood agreed to a settlement with Brown’s firm Diversified Partners in January, in part to prevent the land being disconnected from the village and annexed by Hazel Crest. 

Alsberry previously said he was “neutral” on the distribution center. In the video, he asked Homewood to partner with Hazel Crest and ask the Forest Preserves of Cook County to try to acquire the land.

Hazel Crest Village Manager Dante Sawyer said a special meeting held before Alsberry’s video was released Tuesday was the village board’s first chance to review the settlement agreement between Homewood and Diversified Partners. 

Brown said his opinion of Alsberry and the Hazel Crest board remains the same.

“Hazel Crest has been great to work with and we will continue to work with them even though there may be some political cover necessary,” Brown said. “I suspect they are not happy to be (not) getting all of the future tax revenue for themselves on all of the land.”

Brown said a portion of the land on the eastern side that is in Hazel Crest could someday be used for retail and restaurants. He said the employees of the distribution center will create a need.

“In fact some great retailers have expressed interest that when we get the Homewood project approved, the retailers want to occupy the frontage space along Dixie Highway,” Brown said. “Two cities and two different projects all benefiting the community and new development.”

South Suburbs of Greenspace over Concrete formed last month in opposition to the project. They released a statement Wednesday supporting Alsberry’s comments.

“South Suburbs for Greenspace over Concrete (SSGOC) supports Hazel Crest officials’ call for unity and the transformation of this greenspace into something that will benefit all of our communities’ health and happiness,” organization leaders said.

“We stand with the residents and the citizens of the area to make this a green area,” Alsberry said. “We are looking for support from the village of Homewood to partner with us and move this process through. Let’s move forward together.”

Brown said the group is misguided and that his development will benefit the community. He touted the over 40 acres of open space and landscaping included in the proposed plan. 

“We are sad to see a small group of people opposing us, lying about the facts knowing we have doubled the open space requirements and more than doubled the setback and added a very costly berm with added landscaping, only to protect the neighbors and hide the project,” Brown said. “We have proven there will be no traffic problems. There will be no noise problems. There will be no environmental problems and those facts are very clear but the lies still exist among the small group. Please look at the facts.”

A Homewood spokesperson said the village is planning to issue a statement, which could be available on Friday, in response to the Hazel Crest announcement. 

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