There are two main components to an effective downtown revitalization strategy. Creating more attractive commercial areas is critical to attracting business and increasing local revenue. In addition to creating more commercial space, Oak Park should work to make the community more walkable, dense, and sustainable. Here's a closer look at these two components. In general, the downtown area needs improvement while the downtown area should move further north.
The urban core of the city is its center. This area contains many gathering places, such as Oak Park High School and the Civic Building. The 9 Mile & Coolidge shopping corridor generates substantial activity. The area's fine-grained building stock provides opportunity for adaptive reuse, which is ideal for creative businesses. The city's population and tax base are aging. Fortunately, economic development opportunities are available, including a vibrant downtown.
Transportation: Commutes to the city center are easy to access. Nearby highways, like I-696 and the M-10/Lodge Freeway, are close by. The town's road network is comprised of primary and secondary roads. Primary roads are major east-west mile connectors and north-south connectors. Secondary roads are less traveled, but still important connectors. Secondary roads include Lincoln and Oak Park Boulevard. SMART bus routes connect Oak Park to nearby communities.
There are several primary retail centers in Oak Park, including a cluster of shops near Coolidge Highway and 9 Mile Road. Many of these are family-owned and are typically composed of older single-story buildings. Some businesses are new, while others are old and have no street frontage. These strip retail centers lack the physical conditions needed for a vibrant shopping experience. If you're considering investing in an Oak Park retail center, you'll want to consider these three factors.