UPDATED Saturday June 6th

We received a question regarding household workers, such as cleaners like Merry Maids.

Although not specifically addressed, such services could be considered essential – that is cleaning and sanitization. Although we previously discourages any such traffic in the building, we believe at this point this is a personal choice. So long as they are practicing and supporting safe social distancing efforts, and wearing appropriate face coverings, it is up to individuals whether to allow such services in their home.

For the protection of the staff, and to recognize the fact MANY residents and Owners are still required to observe the Stay-At-Home order, non-essential work orders and construction projects will not yet be allowed. If and when the City of Chicago closes in on Phase 4 of their re-opening plans, and guidance becomes available, we expect other such restrictions will be relaxed with the necessary instruction and direction.

Please feel free to share an questions with us by e-mail at parktowercono-mgmt@habitat.com.

UPDATED Saturday May 30th

As the phased strategy for reopening the City and State unfolds, plans have continued to take shape here at Park Tower. And with that in mind, we are pleased to announce that the seasonal opening of the Roof Deck is expected to take place on Wednesday June 3rd. Albeit, this will be done with limited seating, face covering requirements and Social Distancing expectations consistent with the City of Chicago’s guidance and instructions.

You can learn more about the City’s guidance, which we are doing our very best to follow and compliment, by clicking here: City Of Chicago Phase III – Cautiously Reopen

With this guidance in mind, we have expanded on the 8 Point Plan discussed at the May 11th Board Meeting. The following is an outline of those 8 Points as they have been expanded, and what the present status and expectations are as we look to get as back to normal as possible:

I. Ongoing Social Distancing and PPE requirements and enforcement to continue indefinitely.

a. Face Coverings continue to be mandatory.

b. Personal, respectful spacing, with 6’ distancing wherever possible is necessary.

c. Planning for sneeze and cough shields to be installed at front desk and office.

d. Signage to stay posted, and updated as necessary.

II. Non-essential work tickets, improvements and Unit Owner remodeling continue to be banned until Phase 4.

a. Elective improvements and repairs that aren’t critical to the structure or habitability won’t be approved.

b. The expectation is to plan easing restrictions with City of Chicago Phase 4 re-opening.

c. We are accepting remodeling packages, and getting them poised for approval.

III. Staffing requirements for continued more intensive cleaning and sanitizing.

a. The office is returning to regular business hours on June 1st, as already posted. However, only one person will be allowed to enter at a time. And to allow for appropriate social distancing, each employee is working 3 shifts in the office and 2 at home for the time being.

b. Two employees to continue to be scheduled for the majority of 2nd and 3rd shifts, with regular rotations through the common elements.

c. The Board may discuss the needs for focused Health Club cleaning and management. While some facilities are opening and relying on neighbors to be safe, smart and otherwise self-police, we are in the unique position of having neighboring buildings who have access and add traffic, accountability and liability challenges. We expect discussion of this at the June 8th Board Meeting, including how we reopen when we are able. The advantages, disadvantages and the risks.

IV. We fully expect the Health Club and Party Room reopening should be considered with City of Chicago Phase 4 reopening, however the deck will have its seasonal opening on June 3rd with limited seating.

a. The Health Club Facility is not outdoors, so reopening is still prohibited.

b. One on one personal training use is intended and more appropriate for professional facilities that have in house trainers, and not reasonable for us to implement logistically without additional personnel for management, oversight and sanitization.

c. The staff has already been conducting seasonal repairs and preparations for the deck including cleaning and carpentry, and preparing to place the furniture and grills. The pond is up and running. Approximately 50% of the furniture will be put out, and a Social Distancing notice will be posted.

V. Re-scheduling and commencing major projects can begin being considered more seriously, with the preliminary planning for notices to be given once the City of Chicago Phase 4 re-opening is announced.

a. While construction is technically allowed which would permit the garage work to commence, we would not be able to manage the project appropriately under the present circumstances.

b. The Riser Projects are far too invasive, and given the continued stay at home restrictions, pose far to great a risk to Owners and residents.

VI. Encouraging paperless transactions, will be an ongoing effort and we suggest the Board consider fully paperless statements with fall budgeting considerations.

VII. Planning to hold Association Meetings and Social Events via ZOOM indefinitely for the time being appears to be a reasonable strategy. To date, meetings and business has been conducted efficiently, and this has only been received with positive feedback.

VIII. Guests and deliveries will continue to be permitted to enter under the present face covering and social distancing policies as posted. Complaints of individuals not wearing face coverings are being investigated and followed up on, on a case by case basis.

This is the plan as presently proposed, given all the facts and information we have to consider at this moment in time. We do expect the Board and Management to discuss this further at the June 8th Board of Directors Meeting, expected to be held at the suspension of the 2020 Annual Meeting.

Feel free to share any questions you have, at parktowercondo-mgmt@habitat.com.

ORIGINAL POST:

May 22, 2020

Reopening PTCA – Office Monday June 1st

And More To Come!

Our team expects to be moving back to regular Office Hours, beginning Monday June 1st.

Given our present expectations, and considering the Social Distancing guidelines presently in place, our team has decided to return to our full time office hours. Those are as follows:

Monday 8am to 5pm

Tuesday 8am to 6pm

Wednesday 8am to 6pm

Thursday 8am to 6pm

Friday 8am to 5pm

Although office hours are returning to their regular schedule, the staff will be staggering shifts, so not everyone will be present at any one time. However, those not present will continue working from home as they are able.

PTCA Now, Next and Beyond?

We are working on it. The Habitat Company has released a manual to all their managers, and we are working on integrating their guidance into a plan for reopening and moving forward.

Based on current and expected City, State and professional guidance to come, at least as of this time, we expect plans to take beginning taking shape for reopening the Health Club and Party Room. Our staff is already preparing the deck to open for the season. Later on down the road, we expect to also be talking about getting the Garage Project and Riser Projects moving again.

Social Distancing requirements will remain in place – that is limiting gatherings, 6′ separation, face coverings and more. There will also be guidance for use of tables, chairs and grills on the deck.

STAY TUNED THROUGHOUT JUNE, as we turn our efforts to safely reopening and plans are made to move forward..