Field Center frustrations

It is not unusual that neighbors of new public buildings or spaces come late to the game. Efforts to draw in public responses on the front end of projects often fall short as people are busy, the early concepts are vague, plans evolve in ways that are changed from the first iteration. Eventually, as more final plans become public, as timelines for change become more immediate, the neighbors tune in and speak up.

That has happened now in northwest Oak Park where the Park District of Oak Park has been working to restore, and it turns out to replace, the almost century-old Field Center building.

There has been a quite public process through this year as the park district sought to replicate an architectural competition from a century ago that rejected a proposed design for the center from one Frank Lloyd Wright, choosing instead a design from the estimable John Van Bergen. The current competition allowed for either restoration or replacement. And from the 26 submissions a replacement building was chosen.

That structure would double its square footage, it would inevitably result in a loss of some mature trees, and it would cost $2.8 million.

At a public meeting recently, a large crowd of neighbors turned out. And while there were supporters in the room there were a good many unhappy northwest Oak Parkers. Critics didn't like the design, the growth, the worries over traffic.

The park district says it will slow down its coasting toward construction, will be responsive to concerns raised by those critics, and will now have a better way to engage with those in attendance.

Seems unlikely that this process will be substantially reordered. But we'd ask the park district to be actively responsive to sincere frustrations by some of those neighbors.