Rodeo scheduled for top of landfill
'A GOOD USE OF THE LAND'


April 23, 2008Recommend (3)

By BOB OKON bokon@scn1.com
JOLIET -- Call it Rodeo on the Hill or Rodeo on the Landfill.

A rodeo is slated for May 4 atop the CDT Landfill in Joliet.

Tony Sanchez, who has leased the land along Mound Road, said he is redeveloping the site into what will become a parklike setting and a nice family attraction for the city.

"I think it will be a little bit of Mexico in Joliet," Sanchez said Tuesday. "It's going to be something real nice."

Maybe people will start referring to the site as the CDT Mesa.

At any rate, the rodeo will be called El Alteno, which Sanchez translates into English as The Highest.

Sanchez said he didn't seek out higher ground. The altitude just came with the land. It's the easy access to Interstate 80 that appeals to him. The site is located near the Houbolt Road interchange.

But the height of the landfill did make it a past source of controversy in the city.

Both city council members and neighbors opposed a bid by CDT eight years ago to expand and raise the landfill. CDT eventually withdrew the bid.

No subdivisions are adjacent to the landfill, which is in a heavily industrialized area and on a dusty, pot-holed road. The nearest neighbors, north of I-80, have sought relief in past years because of smells coming out of the area.

But some neighbors had noticed work being done on the site recently and contacted City Councilman Anthony Uremovic, whose District 3 includes the site.

"They asked me, 'Is that landfill open? They're moving dirt there,'" Uremovic said.

Uremovic inquired about what was going on and found out about the rodeo plan.

.""You have to go through a special procedure for something like this," he said. "You can't just set up shop

Uremovic asked city staff to look into what was going on at the site. City officials said Sanchez has come in the temporary business permits that will allow him to run Sunday rodeos, and everything seems to be getting done in time for the May 4 event.

Mayor Arthur Schultz said the rodeo appeared to be "a good use of the land" and would be an entertainment attraction.

Like at Chicagoland Speedway and other Joliet attractions, Sanchez will be required to show that the rodeo has adequate security.

That along with food and vending arrangements are two of the last steps in securing sufficient permits for operation, said city Business License Inspector Richard Clementi.

Sanchez has secured other permits, including one for music, Clementi said.

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