Collins gives Plainfield's state of the village address

The Boulevard may be at the very eastern edge of Plainfield, but it was at the center of Mayor Mike Collins’ recent State of the Village presentation.

Machines have been moving earth for the 70-acre retail development which will occupy the borders of Plainfield and Joliet along Interstate 55. The Boulevard project will be anchored by Costco, which is on track to open in November, Collins said.

A little more than half of the Pace bus riders regularly using the four routes serving Interstate 55 are connecting to Plainfield. The new Park-N-Ride facility is being used for over 1,500 rides each day.

The State of the Village presentation also noted Diageo’s new 1.5 million square-foot distribution center on 143rd Street is opening and has led to new traffic signals at Meadow Lane and a westward expansion of 143rd Street.

The Plainfield Building Department issued 200 permits for new single-family homes in 2019, along with 36 for commercial buildings. Five other new buildings were also approved and 48 commercial locations got new owners.

Last year, the Plainfield Police Department raised more than $17,000 for Special Olympics and set a $20,000 fundraising goal for 2020. The police department also received nearly $69,000 in grants for special enforcement projects last year.