More than 100 Oak Park residents, property
owners and business operators turned out in July to participate
in the first of four workshops intended to gather community
input and comment to help create a plan for the future
redevelopment of the greater downtown area.
The workshops are led by Crandall Arambula,
a Portland, Oregon-based planning firm with a national
reputation for urban and community design projects that
have helped revitalize aging business districts, while also
maintaining their character and unique charm.
Future workshops are scheduled for
September 22 and November 10, with a fourth early next year.
Specific information on the times and locations will be posted
in Village Hall, 123 Madison St., at www.oak-park.us and broadcast
on VOP-TV6, the Village's cable television station.
The first workshop began with a general
presentation on the scope of project, introduction of the team
members and a discussion of current conditions. Breakout
sessions followed, allowing for small group discussions.
Participants also were asked to write down their specific
individual concerns, an approach meant to ensure that
those who didn't wish to speak publicly would have their
views considered as well. Future workshops will follow a
similar participatory format.
In addition to the public workshops Crandall
Arambula also is gathering input from stakeholders, such as
business owners and nearby residents who will be most affected
by any redevelopment in the downtown area.
Among the range of factors being discussed
are quality of life, economic viability, building height,
building design, density, parking, traffic, housing types,
public improvements, environmental impacts and land use.
The study area is primarily within the
boundaries of the Downtown Increment Tax Financing District, or
TIF. The downtown TIF includes much of Lake Street from Harlem
Avenue to East Avenue, and adjacent areas north to Ontario
Street and just south of Pleasant Street.
The study is part of increased efforts by
the Village to focus on planning in response to the growing
interest of developers in the greater downtown area. For more
information on upcoming workshops call 358.5418, email GDTMasterPlan@oak-park.us or visit www.oak-park.us, the official
Village website.
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Preparing to celebrate its 30th anniversary
next year, the Oak Park Farmers' Market is looking to the
community to help come up with a new logo design to use in its
promotional efforts, such as on tee shirts and mugs, and in
advertising materials. Participation is open to any and all,
with entries to be judged in two age categories -- 18 years old
and over, and under 18 years old. One finalist will be selected
from each group. Entries should be submitted on standard,
8.5-inch by 11-inch letter-sized paper to the Oak Park
Farmers' Market, Village Hall, 123 Madison St., Oak Park,
IL 60302. Deadline for entries is 5 p.m., Tues., Oct. 5. All
submissions become the property of the Farmers' Market
Commission, which will decide if and how the logos will be used
in promotional activities. For more information call 358.5780
or email farmersmarket@oak-park.us.
An Oak Parker (from right) shares his views
with the help of Don Crandall, while Don Arambula keeps track
of the important points being made.