Update #2: Oak Park
I recently did a two-part post on Oak Park's Kelo problem (post #1 and post #2). Part of the problem involves the "vision thing" that all Oak Parkers are seemingly born with -- or acquire when they move here. Everyone seems to have an opinion about what businesses should and shouldn't be here. For example, in this week's Wednesday Journal, we have...
1. Dennis Murphy's vision of Oak Park, online here. (Mr. Murphy owns the popular Poor Phil's restaurant -- try the oysters.)
2. Features Editor Ken Trainor's vision of Oak Park, as set forth in his article (here) entitled "Why doesn't Oak Park actively recruit interesting retail?" Mr. Trainor's article makes little sense to me. He begins by complaining about empty storefronts, which I understand -- there are so many in Oak Park that an artistically-inclined friend of mine wants to make a poster (similar to those "Doors of Ireland" ones) showing "Vacant Storefronts of Oak Park." But Mr. Trainor then goes on to say:
Just around the corner, through the Metra overpass, Bill Sullivan has opened a real estate/legal office, filling one of the more prominent storefronts on the Marion Street mall. Bill's a terrific guy and community pillar. His business is an excellent addition to the downtown Oak Park mix, but should it be taking up a prominent ground-floor storefront? Seems to me that should be reserved for retail.
This is Oak Park's problem in a nutshell. Mr. Sullivan -- an acquaintance who used to have his office next to mine -- takes a chance on downtown Oak Park, purchasing and moving into a prominent storefront. The thanks he gets? Being told that he shouldn't be there. Welcome to Oak Park, Bill.
Interestingly enough, The Wednesday Journal's offices are on an underdeveloped street in Oak Park, one that could be turned into a promising retail area. Maybe if enough of us tell the Journal we don't want them there, they'll leave and a Restoration Hardware will move in! What's that? You don't want a Restoration Hardware? Well, I do, so there.
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