VOTE
Vision Community Action
Annabel Abraham
Jim Balanoff
Robert Milstein
Gary Schwab
Political Ad
March 11, 2007
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by Ed Vincent
The Oak Park Marion Mall has had a lot of attention addressed
to it lately, perhaps even more than the lighting of the Christmas
tree.
It was a pleasant day in terms of weather, when citizens began to gather
for the noon demonstration to voice their opposition to the Oak Park
Village Board's vote to destroy the pedestrian mall and return street
traffic to the area. There were talks and speakers pointing at issues
from nature destruction, poor use of funds and taxes, TIFs, and even
design topics. The turnout's numbers were a surprise to the Wednesday
Journal's staff who were present, they thought only a few people would
have come. The highest single number we saw was about 100 people
at a given time, but some came and stayed for a speaker or two, signed
petitions and moved on. It is reported that some 250 people signed
to voice their opinion against the return of cars to the mall area.
Mr. Jim Balanoff, a candidate for Oak Park Village Trustee speaks his mind and warms up the crowd.
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Streaming Video Below
VCA Trustee Candidate Jim Balanoff
Addresses the Crowd at the Save the Mall Event
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Downtown Oak Park had representatives at the meeting and police were
out to watch for trouble. Some of the speakers who had used battery powered amplifiers were told that they were illegal to use. Some of speakers with less powerful voices used rolled up paper and cones to
work as bull horns.
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It was a peaceful gathering, though many had strong views on the mall, the
Village, tax dollars, and the upcoming election. Some had wondered why the Village board would rush this item through as a lame duck entity, when the election is just around the corner.
Ms. Mariruth Gawne comes to the Mall in her wheelchair and often meets
with her friends for talks. (March 5, 2007)
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Ms. Gawne is a local Oak Parker and tells CBS reporter
Derrick Blakely that she loves the mall and feels safe here
without all of the cars, that she says are dangerous to her
and her friends in wheelchairs.
not want a street put in. (March 5, 2007)
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Dr. Les Golden answers questions and gives his views on the mall to CBS reporter Derrick Blakely on March 5th, 2007 (video below)
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Dr.
Golden Speaks with CBS News on the Marion Street Mall
About Its Destruction A letter and vote by the Oak Park Forestry
Commission felt the Mall should stay in any
new plan. The letter below reflects that view.
February 2, 2005
The Oak Park Forestry Commission recommends that Marion Street between Lake and North Boulevard not be restreeted.
There are currently 16 trees in the 100 Block of North Marion - 10 lindens and 5 hackberries, - which are arranged in several clusters. There [are] also four trees in the pedestrian area of Westgate Street just off of the middle of this block. All are over 29 years old (they were planted in 1976).
The Village Forester estimates the total value of the 16 trees at
a minimum of $24,000 although you would probably have to pay more if you bought trees this size at a nursery.
The trees on Marion have been regularly injected by the Village as part of an experimental program to retard their growth. The goal is to keep the dimensions of the trees in scale with the buildings and surrounding landscape.
These trees beautify the area and enhance its pedestrian environment and small town feeling. They provide a pleasant atmosphere for persons walking between Lake Street and North Boulevard. For persons eating outside at such restaurants as Cosi or Minou, the trees provide shade and scenery. Children play in the summer in the paved area around trees while their parents drink coffee at the tables set up outside Minou's. The corner of Marion Street and Lake Street (just north of 5 linden trees) is a focal point for the sale of girl scout cookies, gathering of petition signatures, and caroling in the winter.
Gordon Waldron
Oak Park Forestry Commission
Voted on and Passed by entire Commission
Presented to Public Forum on Downtown Master Plan
Are more cars a good idea??
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published by Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc.