Joliet, Illinois is known as the "City of Steel," at one time said to be home to the second largest steel production facility outside of Pittsburgh. The story of the steel mills is strongly tied to Joliet's historic and cultural identity and a hallmark of its industrial heritage. The mills played an important role in the establishment of immigrant communities in Joliet, as well as early efforts in the formation of labor unions and worker protections. In pop culture, the Joliet Steel Mills were the backdrop for the ambitions of title character Daniel Ruettiger in the beloved 1993 film "Rudy."
The nearly 200-acre mill complex, owned by U.S. Steel, was shuttered in 1983, decimating the local economy. Located in the center of a historic working-class neighborhood just north of Joliet's City Center, the area is now home to a thriving Latinx community who is working with the City of Joliet to identify suitable reuse options for the abandoned site, particularly the striking limestone Main Office building situated on Collins Street, the neighborhood's main thoroughfare.
As of 2021, U.S. Steel has committed to the repairs of the Main Office but there is still a desire among City of Joliet community development and preservation planning staff to discuss the feasibility of a lot split to enable the Main Office Building to be sold and redeveloped separately from the rest of the site. This highly visible historic building, which faces an adjacent residential neighborhood, should be the pride of the community and not left to deteriorate beyond a reuse solution.
Though incremental progress with the Main Office Building has occurred and U.S. Steel officials have indicated a willingness to improve communication with City officials, the buildings in the complex stand abandoned, blighted and dangerous, notwithstanding almost 150 years of environmental contamination.
The City of Joliet and its community partners are seeking to bring U.S. Steel officials "back to the table" to regularly communicate with City staff, preservation, and community neighborhood officials. U.S. Steel should furthermore act in a leadership role to work with these partners to identify and establish a sustainable plan for the entire site's larger reuse.
Updates
May 11, 2021
I have sent a formal request to the regional management team at U.S. Steel to arrange a discussion regarding the lot split for the Main Office building. While I await a direct response, I am currently coordinating with city planning staff to finalize our proposal for the site's redevelopment.
May 11, 2021
The momentum generated by this petition has secured us a formal meeting with U.S. Steel representatives to discuss the lot split proposal. I am currently finalizing the briefing materials that outline the economic feasibility of separating the Main Office parcel for local redevelopment.
11 Comments
Too important of a structure to lose. The history alone makes it worth saving. My father was a crane operator in the billet yard so we urge you to sell to the city of Joliet.
This place and its history is worth saving and preserving for both the story of Joliet and the I&M Canal, as well as for the potential of the site's economic future, bringing this "rare and special" beautiful stone structure back to life.
Please save the Collins Street Buildings from destruction!
Such waste it should be transfer into something’s good to boots local economy
Please save an important historic structure. Preserving the past helps to understand the present.
Please help Joliet restart by assisting redevelopment of your old sites.
Former USSteel employee, former American Steel and Wire employee and son of Tony Amaro, maintenance foreman at South Works and Gary Works.
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Joliet, Illinois is known as the "City of Steel," at one time said to be home to the second largest steel production facility outside of Pittsburgh. The story of the steel mills is strongly tied to Joliet's historic and cultural identity and a hallmark of its industrial heritage. The mills played an important role in the establishment of immigrant communities in Joliet, as well as early efforts in the formation of labor unions and worker protections. In pop culture, the Joliet Steel Mills were the backdrop for the ambitions of title character Daniel Ruettiger in the beloved 1993 film "Rudy."
The nearly 200-acre mill complex, owned by U.S. Steel, was shuttered in 1983, decimating the local economy. Located in the center of a historic working-class neighborhood just north of Joliet's City Center, the area is now home to a thriving Latinx community who is working with the City of Joliet to identify suitable reuse options for the abandoned site, particularly the striking limestone Main Office building situated on Collins Street, the neighborhood's main thoroughfare.
As of 2021, U.S. Steel has committed to the repairs of the Main Office but there is still a desire among City of Joliet community development and preservation planning staff to discuss the feasibility of a lot split to enable the Main Office Building to be sold and redeveloped separately from the rest of the site. This highly visible historic building, which faces an adjacent residential neighborhood, should be the pride of the community and not left to deteriorate beyond a reuse solution.
Though incremental progress with the Main Office Building has occurred and U.S. Steel officials have indicated a willingness to improve communication with City officials, the buildings in the complex stand abandoned, blighted and dangerous, notwithstanding almost 150 years of environmental contamination.
The City of Joliet and its community partners are seeking to bring U.S. Steel officials "back to the table" to regularly communicate with City staff, preservation, and community neighborhood officials. U.S. Steel should furthermore act in a leadership role to work with these partners to identify and establish a sustainable plan for the entire site's larger reuse.
Updates
May 11, 2021
I have sent a formal request to the regional management team at U.S. Steel to arrange a discussion regarding the lot split for the Main Office building. While I await a direct response, I am currently coordinating with city planning staff to finalize our proposal for the site's redevelopment.
May 11, 2021
The momentum generated by this petition has secured us a formal meeting with U.S. Steel representatives to discuss the lot split proposal. I am currently finalizing the briefing materials that outline the economic feasibility of separating the Main Office parcel for local redevelopment.
11 Comments
I have especially fond memories of this beautiful building. I remember my father walking through those front doors the few times we had to pick him up as he was an industrial engineer for US Steel in the 60’s and earliy 70’s. It also stood about 3 blocks from my Grandmothers house. It would be an absolute shame if it was torn down.
Too important of a structure to lose. The history alone makes it worth saving. My father was a crane operator in the billet yard so we urge you to sell to the city of Joliet.
This place and its history is worth saving and preserving for both the story of Joliet and the I&M Canal, as well as for the potential of the site's economic future, bringing this "rare and special" beautiful stone structure back to life.
Please save the Collins Street Buildings from destruction!
Such waste it should be transfer into something’s good to boots local economy
Please save an important historic structure. Preserving the past helps to understand the present.
Please help Joliet restart by assisting redevelopment of your old sites.
Former USSteel employee, former American Steel and Wire employee and son of Tony Amaro, maintenance foreman at South Works and Gary Works.
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I have especially fond memories of this beautiful building. I remember my father walking through those front doors the few times we had to pick him up as he was an industrial engineer for US Steel in the 60’s and earliy 70’s. It also stood about 3 blocks from my Grandmothers house. It would be an absolute shame if it was torn down.