The cold and snow has delayed construction of the new Darien Pointe strip mall near the intersection of 75th Street and Cass Avenue.
The first of two buildings was supposed to be completed by December, but winter temperatures made it difficult to do masonry work, according to Dan Gombac,director of municipal services.
Now, both buildings will likely be completed in late spring.
“Weather pending, we will be moving simultaneously on the construction (of both buildings,)” Gombac said. “Both buildings should be done in four months.”
The former strip mall, previously owned by the city before being sold to a private developer for $1.2 million in June, was demolished beginning in September. Most of a small park and clock tower adjacent to the property were completed in the fall, with the clock and chime set being installed in a few weeks, Gombac said.
The developer contributed $50,000 and the city paid $163,055 for the park, which was part of the development agreement.
The park site includes a water fountain feature, drinking fountain and landscaping. It also has a brick-paved courtyard, ornamental plants, park benches and natural stone accents. While all aldermen supported the idea of the park, some objected to the cost, which will be paid out of the general fund.
“I think the park looks great,” Gombac said. “I think it has really added a lot of value to the area.”
The city purchased the strip mall property for $2.7 million in 2007.The city also acquired an adjacent property, a former BP gas station site, for $1.2 million in 2006 and cleaned up hazardous material there. Chase Bank purchased the gas station property for $1.9 million in 2012 and built a new bank.
Darien Mayor Kathleen Weaver has said the clock tower and park will help the city, which has no downtown area, find a sense of place