Latest news with #Matteson
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
American Heartland theme park deal 'falls apart': Will Legends Tower still happen?
Roughly two years after the developers announced plans to construct a Disney-level attraction in Vinita, Oklahoma, investors now say the effort to build American Heartland Theme Park has "fallen apart." Though the theme park would've brought attention to the northeast corner of the state, it wasn't the only big-ticket attraction coming to Oklahoma. Announced in December 2023, the Boardwalk at Bricktown development caught national attention and appears to have slowed, which was expected to start construction in 2024, but has yet to have any permits filed with the city. After the news broke that American Heartland's lead investor filed a lawsuit against the park's developers and the project was apparently kaput, posters on social media were quick to ask if the Boardwalk at Bricktown project might meet the same fate. Here's where the project stands today. Legends Tower marked to be tallest in nation The height of Legends Tower is set to be 1,907 feet tall, surpassing the One World Trade Center in New York City. When the tower was announced, the Federal Aviation Administration opposed the tower's height, following warnings from local airports, pilots, and at least one airline that it would jeopardize flight operations in the area. Julie Morgan, manager of the FAA's Obstruction Evaluation Group in Fort Worth, notified developer Scot Matteson in a Dec. 4, 2024, letter that if the building is built at 1,907 feet high, it will be a "hazard to air navigation." "The study disclosed that the described structure would have a substantial adverse effect on air navigation," Morgan wrote. "This determination becomes final on January 13, 2025, unless a petition is timely filed." Nonetheless, developers said that they are working through some of the threats that the FAA has raised. Matteson told The Oklahoman he is "working through the issues" with the FAA and local and state authorities to mitigate concerns. With the tallest tower being part of phase 2, Matteson said, "We have time to work through those issues." How tall would Legends Tower be? If built as planned, the 1,907-foot-tall Legends Tower would be the fourth tower at the Boardwalk at Bricktown, and the tallest in the country, surpassing One World Trade Center's 1,776 feet. First announced in 2023, the tower would consist of apartments and a hotel. Developer says 'there's more to come' for the tower's future In a statement to The Oklahoman, Matteson said the project has not been abandoned and instead is still being developed. Matteson also said there has been talk about "doing more" and expanding the project. "There's more to come, that's all I can say," Matteson told The Oklahoman in July. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: American Heartland theme park falls apart: Is Legends Tower still on? Solve the daily Crossword
Chicago Tribune
04-08-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Predominately Black Matteson names first African American police, fire chiefs
Matteson recently appointed the village's first African American police and fire chiefs, with both having extensive experience in the south suburbs. Mikal Elamin, previously police chief in Chicago Heights, was sworn in as police chief last month and Derek Bryant, who had been fire chief in suburban Broadview, was sworn in as fire chief. Nearly 80% of Matteson's population is African American, and Mayor Sheila Chalmers-Currin said their appointments reflect Matteson's 'continued commitment to excellence in public safety.' The chiefs were sworn in at the Village Board's July 21 meeting. 'These outstanding industry professionals will not only enhance our regional reputation as a safe and well-rounded community, but will also create opportunities for growth, extended training, and a renewed spirit of community engagement,' the mayor said. Bryant was fire chief in suburban Broadview since January 2024 and was that suburb's first African American fire chief. Broadview's population includes about 68% African American residents. Bryant was also a firefighter for 22 years in Calumet City, with his retirement from that city effective the day he was sworn in as Broadview's chief. While with Calumet City, Bryant was operations commander, and he was also a police officer in Hazel Crest from 2004 to 2021. He was the safety and security director for Bremen High School District 228 from 2004 to 2021, according to his resume. Elamin had been with the Chicago Heights Police Department for 28 years, holding positions including deputy chief, operations commander and chief of investigations, according to his resume. Bryant earned a master's degree in public administration from the International University. He has held a prominent role with the Chicago Black Fire Brigade, where he actively recruited young African American men and women to learn more about potential careers in fire service, according to Matteson. Elamin holds a bachelor of science degree in administration of justice from Southern Illinois University. He also holds a certificate of completion from the Northwestern University's Staff and Command Institute. Bryant, a Chicago resident, Bryant, specialized and has overseen upgrades, grants management and the procurement of essential fire apparatus, Matteson said in announcing the appointments. In Broadview, he oversaw the village's fire prevention bureau, and in that role led fire code enforcement, inspection operations, plan reviews and public education initiatives, Matteson said. In Chicago Heights, Elamin, a Flossmoor resident, set the Police Department's vision, goals and policies in alignment with legal requirements, community needs and best practices in law enforcement, Matteson officials said.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tallest skyscraper in OKC, new condos: Here are 4 developments still set to start in 2025
From the Women's College World Series to the NBA Finals to the 2028 Summer Olympics, Oklahoma City has been receiving a lot of attention recently, but with all this attention comes the question, what's the deal with all of the construction? Oklahoma City grew by 7,589 residents in 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, making the overall population 702,767 compared to the population of 695,178 residents in 2022, and with growth and popularity comes construction. The 20th largest city in America has several large developments that are set to start later this year, including one that would require the largest crane in the history of Oklahoma if not the entire country. Here are a few projects to expect in the 405 in 2025. More: There's a ton of construction happening in OKC. Here are some of the biggest projects so far The Boardwalk at Bricktown project has drawn worldwide attention due to a promised second phase consisting of the tallest skyscraper in the United States. California developer Scot Matteson recently told The Oklahoman he is planning to start construction later this year on the four-tower development in Lower Bricktown. The development plan consists of two apartment towers to sit atop a parking and retail podium and a 22-story Hyatt Dream Hotel. A second phase has drawn worldwide attention ― the 1,907-foot-tall Legends Tower, if built, would be the tallest tower in the country consisting of apartments and a second hotel. Matteson previously announced start dates in 2023 and 2024. He has yet to file building permits with the city. Construction of the Berry Rock Building is set to start later this year at NE Fifth Street and Walnut Avenue. The four-story building will be home to Prism Bank and Berry Rock, a residential financing and development company. The site is on former state highway easement between entry and exit ramps. Grant Willoughby, developer of the Spaniard in Midtown, said construction will start this summer on the first phase of 1500 Broadway, consisting of 153 apartments, one restaurant and two retail spaces. Work on a second phase of 118 apartments, one restaurant and one retail space will begin at a later date. A groundbreaking ceremony was recently held for construction of a new home for the family justice center that provides help for victims of domestic violence. The building along Hudson Avenue between NW 11th Street and NW 12th Street is being built as part of MAPS 4. Services at the future $42 million new home for Palomar will include 24-hour victim assistance, therapy and trauma treatment, acute medical services, comprehensive child services, educational services, a food pantry and other related wraparound services. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Bricktown skyscraper, condos: These OKC projects are set to start in 2025
CBS News
05-06-2025
- CBS News
Chicago area congressman wants CDC to get involved in fight against gun violence
Charges were filed Wednesday against a 13-year-old boy accused of shooting another teen in Matteson, Illinois, and a shooting involving two young teens also left a 13-year-old boy dead in Joliet this week. Meanwhile, there was word Wednesday that a Chicago area congressman wants gun violence at the center of discussion on Capitol Hill. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would get involved under this push. In Joliet on Monday, 13-year-old Manuel Mejia Perez was shot and killed in an alley behind the 300 block of South Desplaines Street. The Will County State's Attorney's office charged a 15-year-old boy with three counts of first-degree murder and one count of unlawful possession of a weapon. In Matteson on Tuesday, a 13-year-old boy is accused of shooting and wounding a 15-year-old boy outside the Matteson Community Center. Video taken Wednesday morning shows Matteson police recovering a gun and placing it into a brown evidence bag. Police found the weapon at a nearby retention pond. Hours earlier, the 15-year-old victim stumbled into the recreation center after being shot — allegedly by a boy two years his junior. "And that's why I want to fix the problem," said U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-Illinois). "A 13-year-old cannot go into a gun shop." Jackson is pushing for new legislation he says would allocate resources of the CDC to curb gun violence. "It's us also expanding the definition of gun violence — just not as a policing issue, but as a community health factor," Jackson said. "This way, we can ask the Center for Disease Control to become involved. We can gather more data." Jackson said it is time to call the country's gun violence what it is — a health epidemic. "Let's use the resources of the Center for Disease Control. They can move with alacrity and speed like they've done with COVID, the bird flu, and other things," he said. "I'd like to heighten this to being that level of urgency for public safety." Jackson pointed out that Chicago and his congressional district, which also encompasses suburban communities, are feeling the impact of ongoing gun violence. "On average, it costs almost $1 million to help recover someone's life after they've been shot, taking into account long-term factors and trauma and recovery and ongoing physical issues that they have," said Jackson. "That can save the Chicago region almost $2 billion a year." Jackson pointed out that when gun violence goes unaddressed, people are forced to abandon communities seeking safer areas. Jackson plans to address Congress Thursday about the push to get gun violence on the minds of all lawmakers.
CBS News
04-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
Boy shot, wounded near community center in Matteson, Illinois
A boy was shot and wounded Tuesday afternoon near a community center in the south Chicago suburb of Matteson. At 4:22 p.m., police and paramedics were called to the Matteson Community Center, at 20642 Matteson Ave., for a person shot. They found a boy of an unspecified age, but described as a juvenile, inside the community center with a single gunshot wound to the abdomen. The boy was rushed to the emergency room. Matteson police investigators learned there had been a fight between the boy and another person outside the community center that led to the shooting, police said. The shooting took place outside the community center, police said. The shooter ran off on foot, while the victim entered the community center seeking assistance, police said. The suspected shooter was taken into custody about two hours later in Richton Park after a brief pursuit, police said. Investigators are working with community center staff to review surveillance video, and the community center was closed for the investigation. It was expected to reopen in the morning. Police do not believe the community is in danger.
