As part of the 2008-09 streetscape project, the Elmhurst City Centre plaza and fountain and the police plaza are being renovated.

Mike Hughes, publc works director, said the plaza was getting old and was designed for how residents utilized space back in the late ’80s and early ’90s.

“The plaza has seen a lot of use,” Hughes said. “With all things that get a lot of use, it’s showing signs of wear and tear. It’s time for a revitalization of the plaza.”

City workers broke ground on the plaza June 22. The new space will feature a larger fountain and no longer will include the two large planters that have occupied the space next to the old fountain for years, Hughes said.

Jeremy Sasso, general manager of Buffalo Wild Wings, 149 N. York St., which borders the plaza, said the construction has not disrupted business in any way.

“Honestly, I have not seen it affect business,” Sasso said. “It looks phenomenal. I think it’s a nice little facelift to the downtown area. The noise and construction, surprisingly, with how it’s right next to my window, I can’t even hear a single thing. That’s one thing I’m amazed and impressed with.”

The police station plaza’s main construction is over, with irrigation, backfill and planting still needing to be finished, Hughes said.

“We removed all of the old bricks and base, poured all new base and paver bricks and a new design,” Hughes said. “We made it bigger to tie in with the walkway (located near there).”
Both projects should be wrapped up by the middle of September, Hughes said, assuming nothing goes wrong.

“The sidewalk will be disrupted from time to time as well, but when we’re done, we’ll have a new plaza with a new fountain and new police department plaza,” Hughes said. “I’m thinking downtown will be dialed up and set to go for 20 years.”