The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Office coordinated another vibrant community event, welcoming a good turnout for the annual Juneteenth cookout this past Saturday. The free, family-friendly event featured the Jesse White Tumblers, live bands, comedians, a DJ, dancing, games and delicious food. Click here for photos from the event. As a reminder, Village Hall will be closed this Friday, June 19 in observance of Juneteenth and will reopen at 9 a.m. on Monday, June 22.

Community members are invited to join the Village’s E.C.H.O team and members of the Oak Park Police and Fire Departments for coffee and conversation at locations around the community one Friday morning each month. The next E.C.H.O. Exchange event is scheduled for 9 to 11 a.m. on Friday, June 26 at the Onion Roll, 6935 North Ave. These monthly events provide an opportunity for residents to ask questions, access resources and learn more about how E.C.H.O., Police and Fire work together to support community safety and well-being. More information is at www.oak-park.us/echo-exchange.

The Village is planning a roadway resurfacing project on Ridgeland Avenue from Augusta Street to North Avenue for 2027. In addition to asphalt pavement resurfacing, the proposed improvements include various combinations of traffic calming measures such as refuge islands, curb bump-outs and proposed traffic diverters with turn restrictions. Residents who wish to provide feedback can do so by submitting a comment by July 8 at www.oak-park.us/RidgelandFeedback. The page also includes more information about the proposed changes.

Renew the Avenue updates – The underground crew is installing the last of the new storm sewer structures on South Boulevard. This work will continue next week with water service transfers set to begin on the north block between North Boulevard and Lake Street the week of June 29. Other updates related to the Renew the Avenue project include the following:  

• The electrical contractor is wrapping up removals of the existing traffic signals at the intersection of Pleasant Street and Oak Park Avenue and will begin installation of the electrical and traffic signal conduit next week. The electrical conduit work will continue on this block for the next two weeks.
• The outer blocks of Oak Park Avenue from Randolph Street to Pleasant Street and from Lake Street to Ontario Street are now open to traffic. Parking will still be restricted on these blocks for the next week while parkway restoration to lay topsoil and sod is completed.
• Union Pacific continues concrete abutment repairs to the bridge overpass along Oak Park Avenue between South and North Boulevards. This work is ongoing for the next two weeks.

Alley improvement project – Underground improvements are being completed in the alley between the 200 blocks of S. Kenilworth Ave. and S. Grove Ave. this week. Works is also ongoing in other alleys:

• The brick pavers are being installed in the alley between the 1000 block of S. East Ave. and Clarence Ave., with a planned reopening of early next week.
• Concrete work will be completed in the alley between the 1100 blocks of S. Oak Park Ave. and S. Grove Ave. prior to July 4.
• Pavement work will begin in the final two alleys scheduled for improvements in mid-July. These alleys are located between the 800 blocks of N. Harvey Ave. and Mapleton Ave. and between the 200 blocks of S. Kenilworth Ave. and S. Grove Ave.

Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) installations – The contractor is tentatively scheduled to begin RRFB and cyclist push button installations the week of June 29. Parkway restoration is planned to start back up late next week.

Water and sewer project – The annual water and sewer project will be on the 1000 and 1100 blocks of S. Scoville Ave. and the 1100 and 1200 blocks of N. Euclid Ave. this year. This project includes the replacement of the water and sewer mains, water and sewer services, the installation of new drainage structures, valves, curb and gutter, sidewalks, asphalt roadway, pavement markings and curb bump-outs. The contractor will begin to mobilize equipment and materials at the beginning of next week along S. Scoville Avenue. Work will begin at Rehm Park, starting with excavation and installation of the new water main. The contractor plans to complete all water and sewer work on Scoville before beginning the underground work on Euclid.

Media Production Manager Joe Kreml recently produced a video highlighting the Village’s Climate Ready Business Grant program. One of several grant opportunities available to Oak Park businesses, Climate Ready Business Grants help commercial property owners upgrade energy efficiency. The clip features building owner Frank Heitzman talking about how this support helped him improve his 130-year-old building on Marion Street and pass along energy savings to his tenants. Click here to watch the video, which is being shared across the Village’s communications channels.

Join the Oak Park Area Arts Council and the Park District of Oak Park for Beyond the Walls: The Art Behind Oak Park’s Mini Murals from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, June 26. The event at Cheney Mansion offers the chance for attendees to meet the artists who brought these vibrant murals to life along the train tracks in Oak Park. The event is limited to adults age 21 and older and requires paid registration, with $15 of the registration fee supporting the Oak Park Area Arts Council. Click here to purchase tickets.

The Oak Park Area Arts Council, in partnership with Black Cat Theatre Company, presents the inaugural Crossing Paths Festival this coming Saturday and Monday. The two-night festival will showcase the multifaceted beauty of theatrical adaptation by celebrating the myths of The Pleiades constellation, often called the Seven Sisters. Each playwright began with the same research packet, filled with references to this story both ancient and modern, from around the globe. The festival begins at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 20 at Madison Street Theatre. Click here for more information and ticketing details.