A proposed Amazon retail store in Orland Park, Illinois, is generating significant attention and concern among local residents due to potential traffic impacts. The development is planned for a site near the busy intersection of 159th Street and LaGrange Road, an area that has remained largely vacant for nearly two decades.
Village officials clarified that this project will not feature a large distribution center. Instead, it entails a one-story retail establishment comparable in size to major supercenters like Costco or Walmart. According to Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge, “This is retail — not a warehouse.” The proposed structure will encompass 228,660 square feet and include over 800 parking spaces, along with facilities for bicycle parking and future outlot development.
Residents have voiced their concerns online, primarily focused on the anticipated increase in truck traffic and congestion at an already busy intersection. Mayor Dodge acknowledged that traffic is a prevalent issue in the area but emphasized that plans to address these concerns are already in motion. A comprehensive traffic impact study is part of the development proposal, which includes suggested roadway enhancements such as new turn lanes and a future traffic signal associated with a planned extension of Ravinia Avenue.
The Illinois Department of Transportation will also play a key role in evaluating access points and traffic flow as part of the planning process. Dodge noted that many residents’ worries stem from confusion regarding the nature of the Amazon facility. “When people hear Amazon, they immediately think distribution center,” he explained. “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.”
In addition to addressing traffic concerns, village leaders assert that the new development could yield substantial economic benefits for the community. These include increased property tax revenue and sales tax income, which would bolster funding for schools, public safety, and local services.
The proposal is slated for review by the Orland Park Plan Commission as part of a multi-step approval process. Should the commission approve the project, it would still require final authorization from the village board before construction can commence. This timeline may extend beyond the current year, as the planning and approval stages progress.
As the village navigates this development, the balance between growth and community concerns remains a focal point for residents and officials alike.
