The Hub to Re-Open Saturday

Popular youth hangout spot , which closed this summer while dealing with county zoning issues, spent nearly 90 percent of its operating budget this summer trying re-open its doors and continue its mission of providing kids a safe place to hang out.

And shortly after kids have returned to school, The Hub will be opening again this Saturday, Sept. 10, director Dan Stinnett said Tuesday.

"I'm thrilled to see everyone again," he said.

The Hub closed for the summer because in which it resides off of Schoolhouse Road. Director Dan Stinnett was required to apply for a special use permit or close The Hub, and after shutting the doors in June, he paid the permit application fee.

On Tuesday, New Lenox's Planning & Zoning Commission approved a recommendation that the village should not object to a special use permit if issued by the county.

Whether that happens remains to be seen and might not be decided until November, but in the meantime Stinnett was able to re-open The Hub after applying for the permit. Now he must adhere to other conditions necessary to meet permit requirements, such as adding parking spaces.

Even if the Will County Board grants The Hub the special use permit, the next roadblock will be recouping those costs and becoming more solvent.

The application alone for a special use permit is $3,750, and an additional $2,250 was spent on a required land survey and architecture plan. For this nonprofit, which struggles to makes ends meet as it is and sometimes even lets kids into concerts for free if they don't have money, that's a tall task.

A and recoup the cost of the application and upgrades. The outing starts at 10 a.m. Sept. 7 at the Residents interested in making donations to The Hub can go to www.lwhub.org or call Stinnett at 815-717-8002.

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