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Community Planning & Development
More than 150,000 brick street pavers, 9,000 pieces of bluestone sidewalk and 4,000 pieces of granite curbs, gutters, crosswalks and planters replaced the asphalt and concrete of the old street. The long-life materials are projected to last for many decades. In addition, 32 trees were planted to replace the 26 trees that were removed during the project. Older inefficient street lighting was replaced with energy efficient, LED lighting that can be dimmed during low usage hours. A twinkling Tivoli lighting system adds interest to the now festive Pleasant Street intersection, and a garden is planned near Mills Park. Sidewalk width was increased significantly, greatly enhancing the walkability of the area and adding the potential for special events. New site furnishings and pedestrian- friendly enclaves also were created among the new streetscape. Construction included replacement of aging water and sewer lines beneath the pavement. The $5.4 million projected was funded by the Downtown Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district. The new district currently boasts a variety of businesses, including retail outlets and restaurants, as well the Carleton Hotel. Downtown’s new Pleasant District is bounded by the Green Line and Metra west line on the north, Harlem Avenue on the west, Home Avenue to the east and Randolph Street on the south. For more information on the project, e-mail planning@oak-park.us. (photo courtesy Anne Ryan/zrweddings.com ) ***
South Marion opening ceremony set Nov. 30, 2011 – The newly refurbished South Marion Street will be officially opened with a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony scheduled for 6 p.m., Thurs., Dec. 1, near South Boulevard. Festivities will get underway at 5:30 p.m. and continue to 7 p.m., featuring live music and refreshments. The project, which began in early June, transformed the stretch of roadway from North Boulevard to Pleasant Street to match the award-winning section north to Lake Street completed in late 2007, including brick streets, granite curbs and bluestone sidewalks. The new section also has been renamed the Pleasant District. For more information on the event and the new district, visit pleasantdistrictoakpark.com. ***
Merchants open for business as Marion Street construction continues
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South Marion Street work to begin
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Marion Street bests Chicago River Walk for latest award
Scroll down for information on the project since its inception. ***
Marion Street receives landscaping architects' highest urban design award Dec. 7, 2009 – Oak Park's Marion Street reconstruction project has received the highest award for urban design presented this year by Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. This urban design landscape award is the latest in a list of accolades Marion Street has won since it opened, including awards from the state's leading association of planners and a national proponent of Completed in late 2007, 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. 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 those that lined the street in the 1920s. Representatives from the Village Board, downtown businesses, citizen commissions, Village staff and landscape architects from the Lakota Group created the concept, which was the culmination of two years of planning and construction. This portion of Marion Street included in the project 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, was critical to the economic future of the area. While the design reopened the street to vehicular traffic, it also allowed for it to be closed for street festivals and community events, and includes traffic-calming features to ensure low traffic speeds and pedestrian safety. Last year, the project was selected by the Illinois chapter of the American Planning Association for an award in the implementation of a plan category of its annual competition. The Marion Street project also earned an 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 also for block and the buildings that now are framed by the streetscape. In addition, the Brick Industry Association, which conducts a national competition to select and showcase the best examples of the use of brick in architecture, also made the Marion Street project a top pick for 2008. For more information on the Marion Street project, call 708.358.5648 or e-mail Business Services ***
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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Contact Number: Email: Zoning Overlay Construction updates Presentations • Watch the VOP-TV6 Marion Street project overview video Meeting Notices/Agendas
Planning Initiatives
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Dec. 2, 2011 – The newly refurbished South Marion Street officially reopened after nearly six months of reconstruction. Renamed the 
As construction activity to extend the Marion Street streetscape south to Pleasant Street continues, merchants are hoping patrons will brave the dust and noise and continue to frequent their establishments.. Local business along the route will be open and accessible to patrons throughout the project and construction usually finishes each day by 4 p.m. Once completed in the fall, the project will transform the stretch of roadway to resemble the award-winning section previously redone from Lake Street to North Boulevard, including brick streets, granite curbs and bluestone sidewalks. For more information on the project scroll down, call 708.358.5420 or e-mail 
May 31, 2011 – Plans to extend the Marion Street streetscape south to Pleasant Street are scheduled to get underway Mon., June 6. The project will transform the stretch of roadway to resemble the award-winning section from Lake Street to North Boulevard completed in late 2007, including brick streets, granite curbs and bluestone sidewalks. The project also will include replacement of aging water and sewer lines beneath the pavement, work that likely will disrupt traffic. However, local business along the route will remain open and accessible to patrons throughout the project, which is scheduled to be completed in the fall. For more information on the project, call 708.358.5420 or e-mail 
May 20, 2010 – Oak Park's Marion Street/Westgate Street improvement project has earned the top merit award from the 
creating walkable communities. The Illinois ASLA honor award was given in recognition of the quality and functionality of the Marion Street design and its environmental responsibility. The award was presented at the ASLA's annual awards ceremony held Fri., Dec. 4, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.
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 708.358.5648 or 
