CarMax Joliet Project: 2021 Is The Big Year

JOLIET, IL — April marks two years since the Joliet City Council approved several million dollars in sales tax incentives to attract the national used car company, CarMax, to expand to Joliet. Construction on the project hasn't started yet, but that's no reason for alarm.

CarMax informed Joliet back in 2019 that it didn't plan to begin construction until June 2021, with the expectation that the CarMax business would be open in 2022 at the latest. The sales tax incentives are for CarMax to build a dealership along Route 59 near Theodore Street.

The CarMax will go across the street from LA Fitness center.

The nearest CarMax stores to the proposed site in Joliet at Route 59 and Theodore Street are in Naperville and Tinley Park, respectively.

Last week, Joliet's Economic Development Director Derek Conley told Patch there was reason for optimism regarding the CarMax construction project.

He said he spoke with CarMax in January to get a project update.

"They still plan on moving forward with the project," Conley said. "I think it's going to spur development around it, other commercial uses."

In 2019, Joliet Patch reported that CarMax would occupy about 5 acres of a 40-acre tract.

During the past couple years, Joliet has had a number of high-profile Joliet car dealerships embark on major relocations or expansions.

In November, Terry D'Arcy received approval from the Joliet City Council to rezone 16.3 acres along Essington Road to expand his D'Arcy Motors in the 2000 block of Essington Road. D'Arcy intends to move his D'Arcy Hyundai from West Jefferson Street to Essington.

In late 2019, Hawk opened its new Subaru dealership and its new Mazda dealership showroom at Route 59 and Caton Farm Road. As part of the real estate transaction, the Joliet Park District redesigned a portion of its 18-hole Wedgewood Golf Course to accommodate Hawk as its new neighbor.

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