Renovation and expansion work on Downtown Oak Park’s Holley Court parking garage was supposed to be completed for the holiday season.
But two weeks after Christmas, the garage showed obvious signs of ongoing work as part of the $14 million project.
Elevators on the west side of the garage were not in place, and the southwest stairwell showed signs of ongoing work, with materials piled in some areas.
Village Engineer Jim Budrick said the project should be wrapped up by the end of the month or in early February.
Once the new parking department office is ready on the north side of the garage, the old security and ticket check office will be removed and the garage will switch to a pay-on-foot system, like the one at The Avenue garage.
Meanwhile, garage parkers get an up-close look at the deafening clang of progress: a stories-tall crane pounding pylons into the ground to create the foundation for the Whiteco development at Harlem and Ontario. The pounding will continue through the end of the month, Budrick said.
Construction of the apartment building, which reportedly will also house Trader Joe’s, will continue through the winter because all of the concrete being used is pre-cast.
-Drew Carter
