More Top Picks Best Ski Boots
player ready...Tinley Park’s downtown area on Oak Park Avenue would take on an Old World European flavor if village officials follow recommendations by planning consultants.
At a meeting in Village Hall attended by members of village commissions and the Village Board, representatives of Camiros Ltd. of Chicago expanded on proposals for the historic district they made at a May workshop.
The presentation by the company, which has been charged with formulating designs for areas surrounding Metra stations on Oak Park and 80th Avenues, concerned building facades and streetscapes on Oak Park.
“We want to be able to accommodate commuter needs, ensure parking opportunities for businesses and establish a linkage between Metra and the business community,” Les Pollock, principal consultant for Camiros, said.
Diane Gormely-Barnes, an associate planner with Camiros, said residential and business facade guidelines would recreate the appearance of buildings along the street in the early 1900s, when it was a thriving commercial center.
Pollock balked at estimating the cost of the improvements, which would be done in stages, but said an average could be $100,000 per block. The plan focuses on the historic district from 171st through 175th Streets.
Construction would not start before spring.
Potential funding sources, according to Mayor Ed Zabrocki, are the trust fund established by the village for downtown, revenue from the general fund and state and federal grants.