A decision on the future of 35,000 square
feet of publicly owned property along the 1100 block of Lake
Street could come before the end of the year, as the Village
Board prepares to begin negotiations with one of six developers
who responded to a call for competitive bids for this important
site in the heart of Oak Park's downtown business
district.
The proposal preferred by the majority of
the Village Board would combine commercial space, a health
club, condominiums and underground parking in a six-story
building where the former Maple Furrier store and adjacent
metered parking lot are now located. The development also would
incorporate the Drechsler Building to the east, preserving both
the structure and its historic facade, and maintain the auto
and pedestrian access to the Holley Court Garage from Lake
Street.
Factors that influenced the Board's
preference included height and density, use, parking and the
level of Village financial contribution sought by each
developer.
A key aspect of the preferred project
includes the Multiplex health club that had been part of the
proposed development at Harlem Avenue and Ontario Street. The
developer seeking approval to build on the Harlem-Ontario
property already had suggested eliminating the health club from
its development if that would help ease neighborhood concerns
about the project's size.
Proposals for the Lake Street site ranged
from four to 11 stories and from 24 to 86 residential units.
All included shopping at street level, as required by the
Village's recently revamped commercial zoning code which
stipulates ground-floor retail in certain business districts
near mass transit access points.
Four of the six proposals included on-site
parking sufficient to support the development's use,
while two required reserved spaces in the Holley Court Garage.
Three of the proposals included space for the health club.
The preferred concept includes 40 condos
beginning on the fourth floor of the six-story structure. The
condominiums would be set back from the
Proposed development and
it’s access to the Holley
Court Garage.
sidewalk frontage of the first two stories,
which would house retail space and the health club. The health
club's third floor space would be set back in line with
the condos, creating an outdoor terrace along Lake Street.
Parking for as many as 60 cars would be built under the
structure.
The Board could have a redevelopment
agreement with the preferred developer to present to the public
before the end of the year. Should negotiations with the
selected developer fail to reach an acceptable agreement, the
Board could choose to pursue one of the other proposals. In the
meantime, renderings of all six proposals will be on public
display in Village Hall along with a brief description of each.
For more information on the Lake Street bid
process, contact the Development Services Department at
358.5640 or e-mail devsvcs@oak-park.us. Comments can be made
directly to the Village Board by calling 708.358.5784 or via
email at board@oak-park.us.
An initial public meeting for the Cap the
IKE Study will be held at 7 p.m., Thurs., Nov. 20, in Village
Hall Council Chambers, 123 Madison St. The study process will
be explained, and the contractor team selected to lead the
study will be introduced. Citizens will have an opportunity to
share concerns and suggestions over the course of the study.
For more information, call 358.5778 or email CapTheIke@oak-park.us.
