Construction of Renew the Avenue Streetscape Project Moved to 2026
Published on February 19, 2025
The Village of Oak Park will delay anticipated construction scheduled to impact residents and businesses along and adjacent to Oak Park Avenue in the Hemingway Business District until 2026.
The Renew the Avenue project, which was expected to begin in earnest this spring, had been delayed. It is now anticipated that construction will begin in March 2026 and continue through November 2026. The delay has occurred because the Village received only one construction bid and that bid was significantly higher than the Village Board’s approved budget for the work. It was not considered a competitive bid and it was rejected by the Village Board as part of the consent agenda at its regular meeting on Tues., Feb. 18.
Renew the Avenue will replace 100-plus year-old infrastructure with new water and sewer pipes that will be utilized to provide service to both businesses and residents in the Hemingway District. The proposed work sewer work will span from Ontario St. south to Randolph St., while water improvements will be made mainly between Ontario St. and South Blvd. Following these necessary infrastructure repairs and upgrades, new streetscaping between Ontario St. and Pleasant St. will bring renewed energy and vibrancy to the area.
Three approved business assistance grant programs, and the application deadlines, have been extended until December 31, 2026. These grants will assist Hemingway District-based businesses upgrade exterior façades, interior spaces and assist with social media marketing. Businesses are afforded the flexibility to make improvements in 2025 or during construction next year.
Prior to construction, the Village’s Public Works staff, including members of the Engineering, Streets and Forestry divisions are conducting walkthroughs of the Hemingway District to review current conditions and determine if any maintenance or safety issues should be addressed immediately. These reviews will include evaluations of existing road surface and sidewalks, decorative pavers, lighting, landscaping and trees. Identified items will be prioritized for repair, replacement and improvement.
For more information or to find additional resources from the Village of Oak Park, please visit www.renewtheavenue.com.
About Oak Park - The Village of Oak Park, located just nine miles west of downtown Chicago, offers a distinctive urban/suburban lifestyle in a thriving, multi-cultural community. Well-known for progressive values, tree-lined streets and bustling business districts, Oak Park serves as an ideal place to live, work and play. As a longstanding community of choice, the Village benefits from convenient access to local and regional transit, high-quality public schools, and arts and cultural attractions, including Frank Lloyd Wright’s home and studio and his acclaimed Unity Temple, which was recently designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
