Dr. Percy L. Julian Streetscape Project Open House

On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, Village of Oak Park staff and the planning team will host an Open House at Village Hall (123 Madison St.) in room 101 between 6 - 8 p.m. Please note this is a new date!

Attendees will learn more about Dr. Percy L. Julian’s life and legacy, as well as be able to provide feedback on three (3) initial conceptual designs for the corridor. The feedback received will ultimately influence the final design for the project.

About the Project:

Dr. Julian was a brilliant chemist, entrepreneur and philanthropist whose work had far-reaching impacts in medicine and civil rights advocacy. He and his family were among the first African American residents to call Oak Park home. Here, Dr. Julian raised his family and became a leader in the fight to end racial discrimination and expand scientific knowledge.

Despite his boundary-breaking accomplishments, Dr. Julian is considered by many to be largely unrecognized. The Dr. Percy Julian Streetscape project seeks to honor his legacy, provide a brand and identity for the district, and facilitate economic development to build meaningful capacity around organizations of the district.

The proposed streetscape will span Chicago Avenue, from his former home on East Avenue to Austin Boulevard, and is expected to include site features and outdoor exhibits that tell the story of Dr. Julian’s life. These exhibits, ranging from signage to public art, will integrate into Oak Park’s thriving business district along Chicago Avenue to create a cohesive identity for the area and to bolster economic development.

To learn more about the project, please visit Engage Oak Park.