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Community Planning and Development
Marion Street project earns awards
The project also is earning accolades from professional organizations that recognize extraordinary efforts to improve neighborhoods and communities. The state's leading association of planners, a national proponent of creating walkable communities and the brick industry all have recognized the Marion Street project as a standout among efforts to improve community life. The project also will be featured in an industry publication for landscape architects. The Illinois chapter of the American Planning Association just announced that the Marion Street project was selected for an award in the implementation of a plan category of its annual competition. The award will be presented at the 2008 APA-IL State Conference scheduled for Oct. 29 - 31 in Champaign. Within days of learning the Marion Street project had won a state planning award, word came that the project had earned an honorable mention award from the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU), a national organization that promotes walkable, neighborhood-based development as an alternative to sprawl. CNU recognized the project not only for the street that was created, but for block and the buildings that now are framed by the new streetscape. The Brick Industry Association, which conducts a national competition to select and showcase the best examples of the use of brick in The last remnant of a pedestrian-only mall created in 1974, the project entailed redesigning and rebuilding block-long sections of Marion Street and connecting Westgate Street to showcase downtown Oak Park as a shopping, dining and gathering destination not only for the community, but the region as well. The streets are paved with bricks similar to their original early 20th century look, and are framed by bluestone sidewalks and granite curbs. Other features include a system to capture and filter storm water for irrigating the trees and plantings, and an under-surface heating system to melt snow and ice from the sidewalks. Even the lighting fixtures are modern reproductions of the fixtures that lined the street in the 1920s. Representatives from the Village Board, downtown businesses, citizen commissions, Village staff and professional consultants worked together to create the plan and oversee its implementation. Marion Street officially opened to the public in November 2007, culminating a year of planning and actual construction. ***
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Weather didn't discourage these brave Oak Parkers from turning out for a community photograph on a cold December day. ***
New Marion Street now open Nov. 21, 2007 – A cold November mist didn't dampen the spirits of the sizeable crowd that turned out Tuesday night to officially open the new ***
New Marion Street to open on November 20Nov. 9, 2007 – The new Marion Street in the heart of Oak Park's central business district is scheduled to open at 5 p.m., Tues., Nov. 20, with an official ribbon cutting, lighting ceremony and parade of vintage cars. The block-long sections of Marion Street and connecting Westgate Street have been thoughtfully *** Marion Street renaissance underway
A creative combination of the best of the past and a vision for the future is creating a renaissance in the heart of downtown Oak Park. The concept, created by representatives from the Village Board, downtown businesses, citizen commissions, Village staff and professional consultants, is transforming a single block of Marion Street and adjacent Westgate Street into what is sure to be a popular gathering and shopping destination. The new Marion Street is scheduled to be completed by Thanksgiving. This portion of Marion Street from North Boulevard to Lake Street was the last remnant of a pedestrian-only mall created in 1974. The mall portions that included Lake Street from Forest Avenue to Harlem Avenue, and a half block of Marion north of Lake, was reopened to traffic in 1988. Eliminating this last section of the mall, downtown business owners say, is critical to the economic future of the area. But plans for Marion Street are much grander than just reopening the street. High-quality materials have been carefully incorporated into a streetscape design that is rooted in the past, but meets modern demands for access, lighting and maintenance. Brick pavers will provide a road surface similar to the original early 20th century street, while bluestone sidewalks and granite curbs will lend a simple, yet timeless quality in keeping with the historic character of the downtown area. Two-way traffic will be allowed on Marion, but narrow driving lanes and rough brick surface are designed to work together to reduce vehicle speed and remind drivers that while their vehicles are allowed, the space is primarily for pedestrians. Limited on-street parking will be accommodated, and a new pocket lot is planned for the empty space just south of Cold Stone Creamery. The discrete, landscaped lot will provide about two-dozen new parking spaces, and can be easily transformed into additional green space or developed as future needs dictate. Sidewalks design is, of course, an integral component of the plan. Widths will range from about 10 feet to 18 feet, creating opportunities for outdoor dining, benches and bicycle parking. Trees and moveable planters have been carefully integrated into the plan to provide shade, color and visual interest. Lighting fixtures will create the gateways to the new Marion Street space. The round globes are modern reproductions of the fixtures that lined the street in the 1920s. A portion of Westgate Street is part of the plan, too, but traffic will be limited to one-way west bound. Westgate will join Marion at a raised speed table intended to physically announce the pedestrian crossing as well as be an ideal central location for street festivals. Slim metal arches will cross from each corner of the Lake and Westgate intersection to form a canopy with a hanging lighting fixture at its center. Other features include a system to capture and filter storm water for irrigating the trees and plantings, and an under-surface heating system to melt snow from the sidewalks. Enhancements to the intersection of Lake and Marion include dedicated left turn lanes for eastbound traffic on Lake Street and southbound Marion Street traffic at Lake. For more information on the Marion Street project, call 358.5648 or e-mail Business Services
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Sept. 30, 2008 – The reconstruction of a block-long section of Marion Street in the heart of downtown Oak Park is doing more than attracting shoppers and turning heads of passers by who may be wondering how such an historic streetscape could have made it into the 21st century.
architecture, also made the Marion Street project a top pick for 2008. The award likely played a key role in plans for Marion Street to be featured in an upcoming issue of Landscape Architecture & Specifier News, a magazine published for landscape architects and related industries.
Marion Street in the heart of Oak Park's central business district. Officials praised the many workers who kept the project on schedule and on budget, then cut the ribbon and invited everyone to stroll along the new street and visit the retailers who were open late. Complimentary hot beverages were served at Prairie Bread Kitchen, Cosi, Cozy Corner and 
business association 
transformed to showcase downtown Oak Park as a shopping, dining and gathering destination not only for the community, but the region as well. The area was the last remnant of a pedestrian-only mall created in 1974. Visitors will find the new Marion Street to be much more than a roadway. Brick pavers create a road surface similar to the original early 20th century street, while bluestone sidewalks and granite curbs lend a simple, yet timeless quality in keeping with the historic character of the downtown area. Sidewalks widths now range from about 10 feet to 18 feet, creating ample room for strolling as well as for outdoor dining, benches and bicycle parking. A water fountain near the convergence of Marion and Westgate is part of the plan, too, along with trees and moveable planters that will provide shade, color and visual interest. Lighting fixtures will announce the gateways to the new Marion Street space, their round globes modern reproductions of the fixtures that lined the street in the 1920s. Other features include a system to capture and filter storm water for irrigating the trees and plantings, and an under-surface heating system to melt snow and ice from the sidewalks. Festivities will begin at the south end of the block, near North Boulevard, and extend north to Lake Street. Individual merchants will be offering gifts and samples, and welcoming shoppers, browsers and the curious to share in the excitement of the renaissance of an area that is sure to become Oak Park's outdoor living room. For more information on the Marion Street project, call 358.5648 or 
