Please note that the Village's contract with Findzall Community Marketing has not been extended, and as the Village's new fiscal year begins (May 1), all Downtown Tinley marketing tasks (Downtown Tinley Insider, Experience Downtown Tinley newsletter, Downtown Tinley Facebook page, merchant meeting coordination, etc.) have been assigned to the Village's marketing staff.

Going forward, Sue Pall will be coordinating content for the Downtown Tinley Insider merchant e-newsletter and the Experience Downtown Tinley e-newsletter. Please send any information you would like to appear in the June edition to [email protected].

Also, please see the bottom of this e-newsletter for a message from Cathy Maloney from Findzall Community Marketing.

Two major construction projects along Oak Park Avenue will begin this month.

Tinley Plaza watermain project

About 450 feet of watermain in the northeastern portion of Tinley Plaza between the addresses of 17000 and 17030 along Oak Park Avenue will be replaced.

The first construction phase of the project will begin May 19 and is projected to be finished within three weeks, weather permitting. The second phase of the project, restoration (asphalt paving), will begin once the first phase is completed and is expected to be finished by late June. Parking will be allowed on the gravel after the construction phase of the project is complete.

Construction work will begin on the southern-most end of the project area and move north, culminating with intersection work at 170th Street and Oak Park Avenue.

The parking lot in front of stores on the northern end of Tinley Park Plaza will be closed during construction, and drivers will have to park in other designated parking areas (as directed by the appropriate signage). The east portion of the parking lot will be off-limits from 17000 to 17030.

The sidewalks in front of the stores will remain open during the project. Work will be performed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays until the project is complete. Some work may be done on Saturdays if circumstances prevent crews from working during the weekday. No work will be done on Sundays.

Oak Park Avenue Complete Streets project

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Village of Tinley Park have contracted with D Construction, Inc. in Coal City, Illinois to begin construction on Oak Park Avenue from 183rd Street to South and Hickory streets beginning May 27 as part of the Oak Park Avenue Complete Streets project.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of August and will include resurfacing and restriping of Oak Park Avenue within the project limits specified above; creation of a 10-foot, off-street multi-use path from 183rd to 179th streets on the east side of Oak Park Avenue; and 4-foot bike lanes on the east and west sides of the roadway between 179th Street and South and Hickory streets. Oak Park Avenue will be slightly widened between 174th Place and South Street to accommodate the additional on-street bike lanes.

Streetscape improvements also are planned, including the removal of asphalt in the parkway, reducing curb cuts and adding landscape improvements and sidewalks throughout the construction limits.

The project is being funded with 80 percent federal funds and 20 percent Village funds. The project was applied for through the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association. This 4:1 funding ratio allows the Village to minimize local taxpayer dollars spent on street improvements.

More information will be provided as it becomes available. Visit www.tinleypark.org to keep updated on this project.

We are so deeply grateful for all of the time, money, energy and hard work our sponsors and volunteers put into Village events. You make Downtown Tinley the amazing place that it is, and we thank you.

Sponsors, volunteers needed for Duathlon

The Race Around the World Duathlon Committee is preparing for its 14th annual Race Around the World Duathlon and would greatly appreciate your help.

The June 22, 2014 event is a combination race consisting of a 2-mile run, 11-mile bike ride and 2-mile run through Tinley Park. Participants compete individually or in teams of two. Proceeds from the event will benefit Together We Cope, a Tinley Park homeless prevention agency that assists the working poor, elderly, disadvantaged and the needy within a five-township area.

The duathlon's success is made possible by the generous contributions of community supporters. In order to guarantee an even greater event in 2014, the Duathlon Commitee is asking that you join this winning team. Like last year, there are three levels of contribution:

Southpaw coming to Oak Park Avenue station

Garden Center Services seeks vendors, booths

Block Party sponsorships available

Sponsorships are now available for the Caribbean Block Party. Please keep in mind that the Kidz Zone Sponsorship opportunities have been filled. However, the Village has plenty of great attractions that still need sponsors, including the giant slide, swings, fun house and more! Also, business booth opportunities are still available for those who want to actively promote their business at this event.

Surveys went out last month to businesses along the Caribbean Block Party perimeter. If you have not completed and returned your survey, please remember the deadline is May 23.

Music in the Plaza, 'Benches' game piece sponsorships available

A few Music in the Plaza sponsorships are still available. Click here for more information on the concert schedule and sponsorship information.

June 14 is the first Music in the Plaza concert in Zabrocki Plaza. It is also the date for the third annual Meet the Artists Night. The theme for the Benches on the Avenue this year is "Let the Games Begin."

To play off the theme and encourage visitors to walk up and down the street to view the benches, the Village will be providing game cards with each of the bench names on it. Participants will be encouraged to visit every bench to gain a "game piece" and then turn in the completed game card to win a prize. The grand prize will be flat-screen Smart TV, which has been generously donated by Aero Rubber Co.

Downtown Tinley businesses that are interested in capturing these visitors as new prospects/customers have an opportunity to sponsor this event by donating 50 prizes worth approximately $5 for this game, which will be randomly distributed to players that turn in a completed game card.

Participating businesses will be recognized on the game cards and announced during the intermission of the concert when the grand prize winner is announced. Providing prizes will entice more people to visit all the benches and generate foot traffic to your business and ultimately make this event a success.

There are plans to hire a stilt-walker/juggler to entertain during this event. For $250, a business can sponsor this entertainer, who will wear your businesses T-shirt and message for the duration of the event. Summer event tent cards and flyers will be available this month. Please contact Vicki Sanchez at (708) 444-5044 if you would like some to display in your business or to send out in your e-newsletter.

Market your business with Downtown Tinley summer event T-shirts

Here's a new opportunity to market your business! The Downtown Tinley summer event T-shirts are back by popular demand and will be sold at all Downtown Tinley events for $5 each.

Each shirt will feature the Downtown Tinley branding on the front and list the Downtown Tinley events and sponsors on the back. In addition to being sold at the Village Hall and many of the summer events, these T-shirts will be shot off/handed out at the block party and the concerts.

For a $150 sponsorship fee, your business name and logo will appear on one of 10 positions on the back of the T-shirt. If you are interested in participating, please send us your business logo and the sponsorship agreement (available by clicking here) to [email protected] by Friday, May 30. Also mail your payment to:

The Village of Tinley Park

16250 S. Oak Park Ave.

Tinley Park, IL 60477

Attn: Sue Pall.

These sponsorships are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so please don't delay.