Downtown Plainfield Parking Project Approved By Village Board

PLAINFIELD, IL — Downtown Plainfield will gain about 33 parking spaces, including additional spots in a Des Plaines Street lot, as part of a $847,453 project. The village board on Monday approved a contract with Coal City-based D construction for the project.

The project, already included in this year's budget, will be funded by downtown tax incremental financing district money and calls for a directional sign near the Lockport Street pedestrian bridge in addition to the Des Plaines Street improvements, according to a memo from Plainfield Superintendent of Public Improvement Randall Jessen.

Trustees Ed O'Rourke and Brian Wojowski voted against the project, with O'Rourke expressing concern that the 33 additional spots may not be worth the price tag. (For more local news, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

A memo from staff also noted that the village has been working with the developers of Station One, who could potentially contribute to parking improvements near the former Plainfield Fire Station 1. In September 2016, the village sold the old fire station on Des Plaines Street to Station One LLC. The developer is proposing a mixed use for the site, with commercial and restaurant space, as well as residential units.

Photo: The former Plainfield Fire Station at 15025 S. Des Plaines St./Patch file photo by Shannon Antinori