Breaking ground for the foundation of the new community center was featured in the Oct. 24, 1973 Forest Park Review. Mayor Howard Mohr had called on the people of “his village” for contributions earlier that year — cash or material supplies — so a community center could be built for senior citizens, and other community groups. Repurposing the former water works garage, Jackson Boulevard just west of Desplaines, following the completion of the new public works garage at the south end of town, was his dream. With no way to finance construction using public funds, the popular mayor made an appeal to residents and businessmen to raise $40,000.
“When the people of a community join together to work for the progress of their town,” Mohr said, “it is indeed most heartening. As mayor of Forest Park, I am greatly pleased at the response by the people joining this drive to make the community center a reality.” The center was renamed in Mohr’s honor after his death in 1976.
Jill Wagner
Photo: Tangible progress toward the new community center was realized as the ground was broken for the foundations of a new wing. In the background is the old Water Works garage, and contractor Tom King, project coordinator, goes over construction plans with the excavator.
