Village staff briefs business associations
Sept. 19, 2018 - Village staff and project planners presented the latest information on the Lake Street improvement project to members of the business community at a meeting yesterday at the main Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St.
Changes to the scope of the project and budget limit approved in February by the Village Board were presented to representatives of Downtown Oak Park and the Hemingway District.
The construction schedule also was discussed, with staff pointing out that the timetable is still a work in progress. Planners still have not determined if the entire project can be completed in 2019 or if some of the work may extend into 2020.
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Village Board narrows project scope
Feb. 27, 2018 - Following a presentation by Village staff and project planners last night, the Village Board narrowed the scope of the Lake Street improvement project. The Board directed staff to revise the plans to no longer include Marion Street and to stay within an overall budget of $15 million.
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Village Board to review preliminary design, traffic study
Feb. 2, 2018 - Village staff will present preliminary design and results of a traffic study to the Village Board at a meeting scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Mon., Feb. 5, 2018.
The presentation will include the project’s scope, materials and specialty features included in the streetscape portions, as well as costs estimates and a new construction schedule.
Comments gathered at the meeting will be incorporated into the final design, which will be submited for for Village Board consideration.
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Officials release preliminary construction schedule
April, 19, 2017 – As conversations with local business owners and other stakeholders continue, officials say construction could begin with sewer and water improvements.
The project team also is continuing to evaluate construction staging strategies to minimize impacts to businesses, parking and pedestrian access, but have released the following tentative schedule:
- Roadway rehabilitation and streetscape reconstruction between Marion Street and Euclid Avenue is expected to start in mid-March 2018 and be completed by Thanksgiving.
- Lake Street will be resurfaced from Euclid Avenue to Austin Boulevard beginning in June 2018 and be completed by August.
- Construction will be suspended from Thanksgiving Day 2018 to mid-March 2019.
- Work will resume in 2019 with roadway and streetscape reconstruction between Harlem Avenue and Marion Street, but an exact timeframe is still to be determined.
Click here to view a presentation to the Hemingway Business District
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Open house attendees offer valuable insight
Feb. 9, 2017 - An open house held last night at Village Hall drew about 45 attendees who turned out to speak with village staff leading the Lake Street improvment project and consultants assisting with planning and design.
Village staff are reviewing feedback gathered from the open house and other meetings with citizens and business groups, including Downtown Oak Park (DTOP) and Hemingway Business Districts, as well as with property and business owners on North Marion Street.
Design revisions are underway to incorporate aspects of the insights gained from these meetings with a wide range of stakeholders. For example, streetscaping likely will be extended up North Marion Avenue from Lake Street and the left-turn and other traffic movement restrictions for northbound Marion will be studied further.
Several citizens also have provided helpful information on pedestrian issues along Lake Street. The consultant team has been assessing how best to incorporate this information to provide the best balance of streetscape aesthetics, pedestrian safety and movement, and traffic flow.
The project team also has met with representatives from the various new and planned developments along Lake Street to ensure their traffic projections are incoporated properly into all future Lake Street improvements.
Narrowing the range of alternatives is the project team's current focus, with the goal of identifying the best alternative for the detailed design phase.
Opportunities for additional public input are planned.
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Open house public meeting set
Jan. 24, 2016 - Oak Park residents and business operators are invited to learn about major improvements planned for Lake Street at an open house set for 6:30 to 9 p.m., Wed., Feb. 8 at the Village Hall Council Chambers, 123 Madison St.
Anyone may may drop by any time during the open house to view exhibits, speak with Village staff and consultants, and provide their views on the project that will include the entire length of the important commercial roadway from Harlem Avenue to Austin Boulevard.
The meeting is accessible to individuals with disabilities. Anyone requiring assistance to participate in any Village program or activity should contact the ADA Coordinator at 708.358.5430 or email adacoordinator@oak-park.us. Persons planning to attend who will need a sign language interpreter or similar accommodations can call the TTY/TTD number at 800.526.0844 or 711. TTY users who speak Spanish may call 800.501.0864 or 711. For Telebraille, dial 877.526-6670 or 711. Requests should be made at least five days prior to the meeting.
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Vaulted sidewalk information sought
Jan. 24, 2016 - The Village needs the help of property owners and business operators to identify properties with basement areas that extend under the sidewalk along Lake Street. Identifying these vaulted sidewaks areas is critical to crafting a work plan to eliminate, repair or protect these vaulted sidewalks prior to the start of construction. Any property owner or business operator who has vaulted space under the sidewalk on Lake Street, is urged to call 630.430.6392 or via email stevep@thomas-engineering.com.
