Silver Cross Opens in New Lenox, Forging a New Future for the Village

Shortly after Mayor Tim Baldermann took office in 2007, he was approached by officials at Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet. They wanted to know about the area near Interstate 355 and Route 6 as a possible spot to move the hospital.

New Lenox had experienced tremendous growth over the last seven years, but like any other town in the country was about to be impacted by the housing market crash and the recession.

The hospital, which opens today in New Lenox, is one reason was able to fare better than many during the recession and will also see lots of future growth because of it.

"The hospital has done a great job of keeping the interest up," the mayor said. "It is a generator for that area, and with 355 right there, those are major factors behind why New Lenox is still able to grow in this economy."

That interest included the Cedar Crossings development, which has had long-delayed plans for a 970,000-square-foot retail center on the southwest side of the hospital. Some road work was completed for the development this year, and the retail center is .

Across the street, plans are moving along for an outlet mall on the northwest side of the hospital. Spring Creek Outlets is the main component of a mixed-used development that could also include hotels, senior housing and restaurants.

Developer Jeff Middlebrook said there's been tremendous interest in the outlet mall, and he was . Baldermann said the first phase of the outlet mall should break ground this fall.

The location of the hospital and projected developments is a benefit to the community, Baldermann said. Because it's at the north end of town, most residents won't be impacted by increased traffic but will see the benefits of millions of dollars projected in additional sales tax revenue. 

"What we’re doing up there makes New Lenox very desirable and provides a tax base without really impacting their day-to-day lives," Baldermann said. "A lot of communities have their base smack dab in the middle of town where everyone lives, so they’re invaded.”

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning projects New Lenox could grow to about 90,000 people over the next two decades. , reaching levels not seen since 2008. Those signs of stability and growth while many villages are still struggling can be attributed at least in part to the hospital's opening, which Baldermann said "has just pushed everything along quicker."

Besides the future growth New Lenox anticipates in the area surrounding the hospital, Baldermann said the best part of Silver Cross' move is that health care will be closer to New Lenox residents in a state-of-the-art facility.

"You can’t pass on the chance to have a hospital," Baldermann said. "We’re going to have absolute top-notch quality health care, not only for New Lenox but also the region.

"If a large part of our identity is going to be quality health care, I’m fine with that."

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