Orland Park, IL – A major new retail development proposed by Amazon could significantly reshape the busy Route 45 corridor, with village taxpayers expected to fund key infrastructure improvements tied to the project.
According to documents filed with the Village of Orland Park, Amazon Retail LLC is seeking approval for a multi-phase planned development at the southwest corner of 159th Street and LaGrange Road (U.S. Route 45). The proposal centers on a 225,000-square-foot big-box retail store, marking what village officials describe as a first-of-its-kind Amazon retail concept in the region.
According to the Village of Orland Park, the store would sell groceries and general merchandise and will not function as an Amazon warehouse or distribution center. Customers would shop in-store while also having access to online order pickup and local delivery services, blending traditional retail with Amazon’s logistics model.
Beyond the main building, plans show multiple future outlot parcels across the roughly 35-acre site. These additional buildings—ranging from approximately 5,000 to 13,700 square feet—could eventually house restaurants, smaller retail stores, or service-based businesses, though tenants have not yet been announced and would require separate approvals.
A key component of the proposal involves publicly funded infrastructure upgrades. Planning documents indicate that taxpayers would help cover roadway improvements, new turn lanes, signalized intersections, utility extensions, and stormwater systems needed to support the development. Traffic access is planned from 159th Street, LaGrange Road, and 161st Street, with separate routes designed for shoppers, delivery drivers, and semi-truck traffic.
Environmental reports submitted to the village show the project would permanently impact several isolated wetlands, requiring mitigation through the purchase of wetland credits within the same watershed. Developers argue the design represents the least environmentally damaging option while still meeting village requirements for parking, drainage, and traffic flow.
Village planning staff have stated the proposal aligns with Orland Park’s Comprehensive Plan, which identifies the site as a “development opportunity” within a regional mixed-use corridor already dominated by large retail centers.
Community Reaction
As details of the proposal circulated online following recent public meetings, residents across Orland Park have been actively weighing in.
Some residents expressed optimism, saying the project could revitalize a long-vacant corner, improve traffic flow through planned road expansions, and generate new tax revenue for the village. Others pointed to declining traffic at nearby shopping centers and said the location is well-suited for a large-format retailer.
However, many residents raised concerns about traffic congestion, questioning whether added lanes and new intersections would meaningfully reduce backups along 159th Street and LaGrange Road. Several also questioned the use of taxpayer funds for infrastructure improvements tied to a private development.
Additional comments reflected skepticism about the project’s operations, with some residents questioning whether portions of the building could function similarly to a fulfillment center despite official statements to the contrary. Others voiced frustration over what they described as a lack of detailed interior renderings and unanswered questions during public meetings.
Public hearings before the Plan Commission and Village Board are expected to continue in the coming weeks, where residents will have additional opportunities to comment before any final approvals are considered.
