A Moment Long Prepared For: Oak Park Celebrates Success in State of the City

Ready for a second for: Oak Park is celebrating success within the state of the town

(Crystal A. Proxmire, June 16, 2025)

Oak Park, Mi – “This can be a second when now we have ready for a very long time, and guess it’s right here.”

The phrases got here from Oak Park Metropolis supervisor Erik Tungate on the State of the Metropolis tackle of 10 June the place he and Mayor Marian McClellan spoke in regards to the previous of the town, the place they’re at the moment, and what they construct for the longer term.

“We have fun robust roots and attain for brand new heights,” they every mentioned throughout their presentation.

Mayor McClellan shared that in 1914 “the Majestic Land Firm Noticed Belofte noticed among the many oaks and so Oak Park was born.”

Town grew by means of the 40s, 50s and 60s. In contrast to different cities, which had limitations to stop a house possession of minorities, in Oak Park “Everybody was welcome right here.” The automobile trade fed loads of that development and within the Nineteen Eighties that development got here to a halt.

By 2010, Oak Park had misplaced 20% of the inhabitants. “This was our lowest second,” mentioned the mayor. By 2012, the town was confronted with insolvency. Mayor McClellan and the lately employed metropolis supervisor labored newly elected and labored with the town council and members of the neighborhood to induce a headlee override to supply extra tax revenue to work with, as a result of they made plans to breathe new life into the wrestling metropolis.

In 2012-13, the overall fund of the town had a scarcity of $ 3.3 million. Now, because of strategic investments, elevated actual property values, an rising inhabitants and the welcome of latest firms, Oak Park now has a wet day fund of $ 4.5 million. Additionally they have the market worth of homes at $ 800 million and an A+ bond ranking.

Tungate says that the important thing has balanced ‘monetary duty with strategic development’. This development contains investments, such because the award -winning redesign of 9 miles that has added cycle paths, pocket parks and playground gear alongside what was as soon as an extended rack with out doing a lot completely different than simply driving. The brand new look and site visitors -racing measures have additionally contributed to attracting new firms to the hall.

Eleven Mile Street has additionally been a spot of development. Oak Park created a hall enchancment authority and commenced to focus on welcome firms in that space of ​​the town. Now that piece is 100% rented out, with firms equivalent to canines and pony and mom good-looking welcome company, not solely from the encircling neighborhoods, but in addition those that see Oak Park as a vacation spot. “Folks all through the area uncover Oak Park,” mentioned Mayor McClellan. “Now we have a scene!”

The subsequent one is taking a part of that prosperity and investing in amenities for residents.

Metropolis leaders not solely had their state of the town tackle, additionally they broke floor on the Elevate Oak Park challenge, which provides features to the world across the city corridor and Shepherd Park. With the assistance of a mix of subsidy cash and bonds accepted by the voter, Oak Park provides an occasion hub with a tire shell, industrial kitchen, farmers market and splash pad. There may even be an inside for a swimming pool, a profession and indoor play areas for all ages. Shepherd Park may even obtain upgrades, because of a collaboration with Oakland County Parks, together with pavilions, a kitchen, bathrooms and a playground with a nature theme. They’ll maintain the outdated development timber and the beloved practice play scape.

Town additionally makes use of partnerships to make different enhancements, together with upgrades in Tyler Park together with Berkley faculties. Additionally they work with Metropolis of Southfield so as to add creative lighting and panorama structure to Greenfield Street. Because the mayor mentioned, “If we work collectively, all of us win.”

Learn extra in regards to the metropolis of Oak Park https://www.oakparkmi.gov/

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