University of Chicago Envisions Large Medical Center in Orland Park

Residents of the upscale Ninety7Fifty apartment complex in Orland Park could soon have a new neighbor.

Under an agreement approved by officials Thursday night, University of Chicago Medicine will construct a four-story, 120,000-square-foot medical clinic at 143rd and LaGrange Road—just east of the new complex.

Positioned at the northwest corner of LaGrange and 143rd, the center would sit on 3.5 acres of leased land, and would provide patient services in radiation oncology treatment and orthopedics, according to the agreement. It would include a CVS pharmacy at ground level, with a 580-space parking garage. 

Officials Thursday night signed off on a letter of intent between the village and U of C—just the first step in the approval process. Plans for the center must go before the village board, and be submitted to the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board. The board will weigh the necessity of such a center in the southwest suburbs. 

If approved, the facility would be U of C's largest outpatient care center in the southwest suburbs. The mixed-use building is expected to employ 100 people, and create more than 200 construction jobs. 

The center is projected to bring $61 million in private funding to the village, with 22,400 annual visitors/patients to Orland Park's downtown. The village would lease the property to U of C for 25 years, after which the university would own the site. The village could see a $25.5 million direct benefit. The parking garage would also be available for public use on weekends and evenings, for free. 

The center would be the next leg of the village's Metra Triangle project, and would leave roughly 13 acres still up for grabs. Officials hope the facility—and the parking that comes with it—will help lure retailers and restaurants to the area.

"The value of the parking structure is priceless," said Trustee Kathy Fenton, chair of the village's Development Services Committee. "This will enable evening and weekend visitors to downtown Orland Park to park their cars and visit the restaurants, shops and entertainment planned for the village—a true pedestrian friendly development."

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