Teams present concepts for green homes

Aug. 20, 2008 – Two of the three teams competing to transform two homes in the Barrie Park neighborhood into green demonstration projects presented their proposals to the Village Board at 7 p.m., Tues., Aug. 19 in Village Hall, 123 Madison St. The meeting was broadcast live on VOP-TV, the Village's television station available to cable subscribers on channel 6, and will be rebroadcast at 7 p.m. Wednesday, and 11 a.m. Sunday and Tuesday. A third team is expected to make a presentation to the Village Board at a later date. The two homes – a one-story at 1030 S. Taylor Ave. and a two-flat at 1100 St. Lombard – were among six homes purchased by the Village from residents during a project to remediate the properties near what was a coal gasification plant abandoned in the early 20th century. Three of the homes purchased by the Village have since been sold and a fourth leased. These final two homes were retained by the Village for green demonstration projects. The two proposals presented to the Village Board are posted along the right column of this page. For more information, call 358.5644 or e-mail Development Services .

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Oak Park seeking architects and builders for green demonstration projects

March 7, 2008 – Oak Park's Barrie Park neighborhood once was known as the site of a long-defunct, environmentally unfriendly coal gasification plant buried under a park. Now, a short two years since the clean-up, officials hope the same neighborhood will become famous for its environmentally friendly, energy efficient construction practices and technology.

A request for proposals scheduled to be issued Wednesday is seeking teams of architects and builders to transform two homes in the residential neighborhood on Oak Park's southeast side into demonstration projects that will showcase products, ideas and approaches that could be used in remodeling homes throughout the community and region. The two homes – a one-story at 1030 S. Taylor Ave. and a two-flat at 1100 S. Lombard Ave. – were among six homes purchased by the Village from residents during the remediation project. Three of the homes have since been sold and a fourth leased. These final two homes were retained by the Village for green demonstration projects.

Respondents to the RFP will have wide latitude to redevelop or remodel the buildings, with the goal of unveiling the finished projects in February 2009. Village officials say they expect the interest generated by the projects to enhance the position of Oak Park as a forward-looking, environmentally conscious community. With Illinois' first public works facility to seek certification through the U.S. Green Buildings Council, Oak Park already is in the forefront of the sustainable movement when it comes to public buildings. The goal now is to extend the concept to the residential neighborhoods by setting an example that residents can look to for tangible ideas and inspiration.

The RFP is structured to first gauge interest and assess qualifications, abilities and experience of bidders before any specific project concepts are presented. Respondents will have until March 19 to complete this first phase of the process. Property tours will follow, allowing teams to consider proposals for one or both properties, with detailed project plans due on June 2.

For more information on the project, call 358.5644 or e-mail the the Development Services Division .