Tinley Park officials are moving forward on the Harmony Square project, approving contracts with a water features design company for a new splash pad and with Tria Architecture for interior furniture design.
The village last week approved a $876,434 contract with the water feature design and build firm, Laughing Waters, for a splash pad in the far corner of the plaza.
“This is going to be a great addition to Harmony Square, they’ve put a lot of great stuff together and looking forward to having this in our community,” Trustee Michael Mueller said.
Laughing Waters was the sole bidder for the project, according to a village memo, and it was re-bid June 17 due to an initial lack of interest in May.
“Laughing Waters, Inc., was vetted by our design team and was found to be a
renowned leader in the field of architectural water features, specializing in the design, engineering, installation, and maintenance of custom fountains for various applications. With an impressive track record of over 30 years,” the memo reads.
The village also approved a $39,850 contract with Tria Architecture for furniture design in the plaza’s three main buildings. The firm was originally hired by the village July 25, 2023 for initial design of the square, but as the design process progressed, officials identified the need for a cohesive plan for furniture, fixtures and equipment, according to a village memo.
“As design process was underway it became apparent that the want for a professional interior design plan for furniture, fixtures and equipment would afford an aesthetic cohesion with the buildings after construction,” the memo reads.
Work on the multi-use plaza began March 25 with the installation of a soil retention and water main protection system on 173rd Street. Construction on the new plaza and surrounding buildings is on track to be completed in spring 2025, village manager Pat Carr said.
Harmony Square, which was designed by the Lakota Group as a place for residents and visitors to come and relax, is being constructed on 1.6 acres at the corner of Oak Park Avenue and North Street in the center of Tinley’s downtown. Besides the splash pad, the plaza will also feature year-round events, synthetic lawn, a 30-by-50 foot concert stage, fire pits and a synthetic ice rink during the winter months.
At the northeast corner of Oak Park Avenue and 173rd, there will be the stage, a green room, backstage area, skate rental and retail space, according to the village’s website. Another smaller structure on the northeast corner will house bathrooms and a VIP area.
The largest structure will replicate Teehan’s Tavern, offering a party room, restaurant and rooftop bar, according to the village’s website.
For the three buildings, Tria Architecture will design bar stools, dining tables and chairs, lounge seating, gaming stools, outdoor area seating, office spaces, banquet areas, benches, a hostess stand, fire pit tables, planters, the green room, a staff breakroom, public safety and management offices among other features, according to the firm’s proposal letter.
So far, the foundation for the Teehan’s building basement is finished, and underground plumbing was installed the week of June 30, officials said. Wall installation and additional foundation work are slated for July. VIP building foundations were also completed with ongoing work on plumbing and masonry walls.
By the end of July, the project will see significant development, with building structures taking shape and underground infrastructure installation in full swing, according to the June construction update on the village’s website.