The work Oak Park residents have waited for over six years is underway – construction for the Pete’s Fresh Market at 640-728 Madison St.
The Oak Park village board approved a 16-month extension in a 5-1 vote for the grocery store during its July 30 meeting. The Pete’s developers have requested other extensions before then, citing the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain problems and utility work as the reasons.
The earth retention system work is now about 70% complete, Eugene Grzynkowicz, the project manager, told the village board Tuesday. The permit for this was issued Aug. 2 after three rounds of corrections.
“An ERS typically secures horizontal earth pressures and protects nearby foundations from soil settlement,” according to Engineering Consulting Services. “ERS usually controls soil movement and drains water held underground.”
Grzynkowicz said the mass excavation work is close to 70% complete, too. This includes site preparation work, usually to remove soil or rocks, and to create a space for construction. The project is on track to install a concrete foundation the last week of October, he said. And on Monday, he said, they plan to pave the west parking lot and the cul-de-sac on Euclid Avenue. Landscaping work, including planting new trees, will also be part of upcoming efforts.
“I can imagine that the cul-de-sac being finished with some greenery will be a big plus for that block,” said Village President Vicki Scaman.
The 16-month extension means the building should be open by December 2025. With construction now underway, Grzynkowicz told the village board that the project is now three weeks ahead of its current schedule.
“We had some great weather, we took advantage of it,” he said. “We’re getting into that rainy season, but we’re still going to keep pushing on.”
Once the development has about 80% of its foundation work complete, Grzynkowicz said, he’d like to talk to the board again about more of the above-ground work.
Pete’s developers have also made a $22,000 donation for temporary artwork that will be displayed outside the construction fencing at the site, Emily Egan, the village’s development services director, told the board Tuesday. Egan said the village will work with the Oak Park Area Arts Council on this.
“Anything we can help you with, we will,” Grzynkowicz said.
