We’ve had a lot going on around the building, even despite the frigid winter weather.

Here are some helpful updates on the status of the work being:

1. LIFE SAFETY TESTING – DONE! The comprehensive testing of the building’s life safety network was completed. This included testing of major parts and components of the hallway announcement system, the elevator recall, the front lobby fire panel and other sensors and detectors that connect to the panel. Out of several hundred devices tested, only two require replacement. That work is being scheduled. But in general, our network was found to be in excellent health.

We realize some folks may have been delayed – particularly on Thursday – while they performed the elevator recall testing. The call buttons may have not been responsive, intermittently. This system is what the CFD uses to bring the elevators down to the lobby level, in the event of an emergency situation. So it was a critical part of the testing. We greatly appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding while this was being accomplished.

2. GARBAGE CHUTE REPLACEMENT – UNDERWAY! Work progressed upward from the 19th floor. Demolition has reached the 35th floors, and will continue upward next week. They have already started buttoning up from the 19th floor. As the walls are closed up and the garbage bins are taken away, residents can begin using the chute again.

PLEASE REMEMBER – While workers are present on your floor, you may not be able to access the service elevators. To help prevent dust from spreading, and for safety, the door may be blocked off an inaccessible. We have had a couple situations where residents have insisted on entering the service area, and this has caused dust to get in the hallway and into neighbors units. When workers are present, please take a route through the passenger elevators and down. If you like, you may also be able to go down via the stairs (a floor or two) to an accessible service area. For your safety, if workers are present or ask you not to come in, please follow their instructions.

3. DRIVEWAY – We have reached major completion of the plaza driveway project! There are items left to be completed such as the vertical paneling along the plaza adjacent to the sidewalk, sealants, the vault grills at the north and south ends of the aggregate surface, lighting and some other small punch list items. We do not have a delivery date on the panels and it has been far to frigid to complete most of the other items. In addition, we still await word from ComEd on the start of their project at the sidewalk level. Stay tuned for future updates, once we have more information.

4. WINDOW WASHING – Done – however, we did have a few callbacks they were unable to finish due to the weather. We do expect them to return to complete a few more drops once the weather moderates.

So, we are staying busy. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send us an e-mail.

As always, we greatly appreciate owners and residents patience as we work to maintain a positive living experience at Park Tower.