Set to begin Thursday are construction projects in Clarendon Hills' central business district that will lead to street closings and parking restrictions between now and the end of August.

The Village of Clarendon Hills is replacing an aging water main and updating streetscape elements, including walkways and tree grates. The village said in a release sent out Tuesday that the work is aimed at reducing long-term maintenence costs.

"Businesses will remain open and accessible throughout the construction project," the release reads. "Prospect will be closed during certain phases of the construction between the Railroad and Park avenues, and parking may be restricted."

Prospect will re-open each day by 5 p.m. to provide access to restaurants and other businesses that have evening hours. The village says there will be additional parking along Walker and Railroad avenues as well as in several designated spaces in the Metra lot.

The project was discussed by the Village Board last October and, at that time, was set for the spring. Village manager Randy Recklaus said the decision to push the project back was a compromise with local business owners, who wanted the project done after the summer. 

"We held meetings with business owners and they all preferred we do the project in the fall, as it is the slowest time of the year for business," Recklaus said.

The streetscape improvements are being paid for with a grant from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

"The brick pavers will be replaced with stamped concrete and new tree grates will be installed around the trees downtown," the village release reads. "The changes will improve the appearance and reduce the maintenance of the streetscape downtown. The water main work will replace an aging water main, as well as install new service lines to many of the businesses downtown."

In its release, the village encouraged residents to continue to support downtown businesses during the construction.

“Supporting our local businesses is always important,” Village President Tom Karaba said in the release. “I encourage residents to take a few extra steps and continue to visit our downtown businesses during this project.”

The Clarendon Hills Chamber of Commerce also preached support in its latest newsletter, sent out Wednesday morning.

"The Chamber encourages you to continue to support local businesses during this construction season, especially those businesses impacted along 55th Street and with upcoming construction in downtown Clarendon Hills," the newsletter reads.

The Village will continue to distribute updates on the project as needed through the website at www.clarendonhills.us and through Facebook, Twitter and the email newsletter. Residents and businesses can subscribe to the village’s social media through the Village’s home page.