Oak Park approves $633,019 pay application, hears Event Hub construction update and OKs mural

Oak Park City Council approved pay application number 11 for the Event Hub project and received a construction update on May 18. Deputy City Manager Dave DeCoster told the council the project is approximately 67% complete and recommended payment of $633,018.93 from the Event Hub fund.

Construction manager Frank Riewald reported completed interior work — including concrete floors and polishing — and said the band shell and electrical lighting are in place. Staff said landscaping, irrigation, bollards, security systems, cameras and networking remain on the punch list; about $2,500,000 remains to be spent on the project but staff stated it is proceeding on schedule and on budget at this point.

Council also approved a selection for a large mural to be installed on the Event Hub, part of an ongoing partnership with the Detroit Institute of Arts' public‑art program. City staff identified artist Louise Jones (referred to in the presentation) as the selected artist; council voted to approve the final mural design.

Staff said residents will see ribbon‑cutting and public programming in the coming months; the Event Hub and bandshell are intended to host concerts, festival programming and community activities. DeCoster noted site amenities including green gathering space, picnic tables (six with umbrellas), canopy shade and a small memorial garden area that will relocate existing memorial boulders and include a limestone path.

What’s next: staff will process the pay application, continue finishing exterior work and prepare for an anticipated opening season of Event Hub programming; the city will also roll out public information about the mural and related programming.