Residents of Orland Park are expressing concerns as a proposed Amazon retail store is set to be constructed near one of the suburb’s busiest intersections, located at the junction of 159th Street and LaGrange Road. The development, which is planned for a site that has remained vacant for nearly two decades, aims to transform the area with a 228,660-square-foot retail building.
Village officials clarified that this project is not a distribution center, but rather a one-story retail store comparable to large supercenters like Costco or Walmart. “This is retail — not a warehouse,” said Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge, emphasizing that the store will not generate the high volume of truck traffic often associated with distribution facilities.
Despite assurances from local leaders, residents have voiced their worries about potential traffic congestion and increased truck activity at an intersection already known for its heavy flow. According to local planning documents, the development will include more than 800 parking spaces and provisions for bicycle parking, along with plans for future outlot development.
As part of the project, a detailed traffic impact study is underway. Proposed improvements include new turn lanes and a potential traffic signal linked to a future extension of Ravinia Avenue. The Illinois Department of Transportation will also be involved in assessing traffic flow and access points to ensure safety and efficiency in the area.
Mayor Dodge noted that much of the public concern stems from a misunderstanding of the nature of the Amazon facility. “When people hear Amazon, they immediately think distribution center,” he stated. “That’s not what this is. This is a retail store with normal delivery patterns — not hundreds of trucks coming in and out around the clock.”
The village leaders are optimistic about the economic benefits this development could bring. They anticipate an increase in property tax revenues and sales tax income, which will support public services such as schools and safety departments.
The proposal is currently scheduled to be reviewed by the Orland Park Plan Commission as part of a multi-step approval process. If it receives the necessary endorsements, it will then require final approval from the village board before construction can commence. The timeline for this project may extend well into the coming years as these approvals are secured.
As the community looks toward the future, the outcome of this development will likely be closely monitored, balancing the anticipated economic growth against the residents’ concerns over traffic and congestion.
