Tinley Park officials are moving forward with the Harmony Square project, approving contracts with aquascape design firm for a new splash pad and Tria Architecture for interior furniture design.
The village last week approved an $876,434 contract with aquascape design and construction company Laughing Waters Inc. to install a splash pad on the corner of the square.
“This will be a great addition to Harmony Square. They’ve put together a lot of great things and we’re excited to bring this to our community,” board member Michael Mueller said.
Laughing Waters was the sole bidder for the project, but it was re-opened for bids June 17 after initial interest in May was lackluster, according to a village memo.
“Laughing Waters, Inc. was reviewed by our design team and
“We are a recognized leader in the field of architectural water scaping, specializing in the design, engineering, installation and maintenance of custom fountains for a variety of applications, with an impressive track record spanning more than 30 years,” the memo states.
The village also approved a $39,850 contract with Tria Architecture for the furniture design for the plaza’s three main buildings. The firm was originally hired by the village on July 25, 2023, for an initial design for the plaza, but as the design process progressed, officials recognized the need for a unified plan for furniture, fixtures and equipment, according to a village memo.
“As the design process progressed, it became apparent that a professional interior design plan for the furniture, fixtures and fittings would provide aesthetic consistency with the building once constructed,” the memo said.
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 of the new plaza and surrounding buildings is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2025, Village Manager Pat Carr said.
Designed by Lakota Group as a place for residents and visitors to relax, Harmony Square is being constructed on 1.6 acres at the corner of Oak Park Avenue and North Street in the heart of downtown Tinley. In addition to a splash pad, the square will host events throughout the year and will also feature artificial turf, a 30-by-50-foot concert stage, fire pits and an artificial ice rink in the winter months.
According to the Village’s website, the northeast corner of Oak Park Avenue and 173rd Street will house a stage, dressing rooms, backstage, skate rentals and retail space. Another small building on the northeast corner will house restrooms and a VIP area.
The largest building will be a replica of Teehan’s Tavern, with 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 space, banquet areas, benches, a hostess stand, fire pit tables, planters, green rooms, staff break rooms, public safety and administrative offices, according to the firm’s proposal.
So far, work on the basement foundation for the Teehans Building has been completed, with underground plumbing installed during the week of June 30, officials said. Wall installation and additional foundation work is scheduled for July. Work on the VIP Building’s foundation has also been completed, with plumbing and drywall work continuing.
According to a June construction update posted on the village’s website, significant progress is expected to be made on the project by the end of July, with building structures taking shape and installation of underground infrastructure in full swing.