While flowers, chocolates and candlelight dinners commonly characterize Feb. 14, the date this year marks an occasion other than Valentine’s Day in Orland Park.

The village officially is in control of the west part of Orland Plaza, the former homes of Randy’s Market, Lang Lee II and the Orland Park Bakery. Next week Orland Park assumes control of the plaza up to the Gee-Schussler Insurance and Marquette Bank offices.

Demolition of the west section to make room for extending Ravinia Avenue north of 143^rd Street will start soon, said Orland Park Development Services Director Karie Friling. Before that begins, crews from McHugh Construction will spend about a week ridding the area of asbestos, Friling said.

“Complete demolition of that section will take about three to four weeks, going until mid March,” Friling said. “A storm sewer needs to be relocated and road construction will start on Ravinia.”

As of Tuesday, the metal arm and leg of what will be a traffic light at 143^rd Street and Ravinia Avenue have been installed.

While the street is extended into the former Plaza area, Flaherty and Collins are also expected to begin building the Ninety 7 Fifty on the Park apartment building.

The 295-unit rental apartment building is expected to take about 24 to 26 months to be completed, though units may be available as early as spring 2013.

READ ON to find out what is next for the Orland Plaza businesses.

For further information on the Main Street Triangle, Plaza businesses and related court hearings, visit Orland Park Patch’s Triangle Central page.