Community meetings scheduled to discuss downtown historic preservation

    A series of four meetings is planned for early 2007 to discuss creating a historic district in the heart of downtown Oak Park. The community meetings, organized by the Historic Preservation Commission, offer a forum to discuss various options for preserving the historic and architectural character of downtown Oak Park, which includes the areas south of Ontario Street, north of North Boulevard, east of Harlem Avenue and west of Forest Avenue.

    The first two meetings are scheduled for 7 – 9 p.m. Tues., Jan. 23 and 30, in the Veterans’ Room of the Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St. The focus of these two meetings will be
to determine options for historic designation in Oak Park and the various options for preserving the districts.

    The third and fourth meetings are tentatively scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Thurs., Feb. 8 and Wed., Feb. 21 at Village Hall, 123 Madison St. These sessions will determine the favored choice for the historic district and get feedback from the community on what preservation actions should be taken.

    Following all four meetings, a final report on the favored option will be presented at a Village Board Study Session likely
in March.

    Anyone unable to attend a community meeting who wises to review or comment on the options may visit www.oak-park.us where all information presented and gathered at the community meetings will be posted. Comments and questions may be sent via e-mail directly to the Historic Preservation Commission at planning@oak-park.us or by calling 358.5417.