Here is another fine example of Oak Forest government

[Over Taxed]

Could the money have been used to buy out the apartments at 147 central? Make them senior citizen housing or knock them down and develop either housing or commercial in that area.
The intersection now looks terrible, and judging by the police and fire constantly rolling in there, it would have been a nice break for the taxpayers.

[JimRossi]

Say WAAAAT wrote:

<quoted text>
After those remarks, I may just stick to the kool aid.
Is it a common practice to keep City Administrators in the dark as to what's going on or is there some type of "top secret" confidentiality clause that runs it to perpetuity that keeps you from revealing any type of substance and facts to what you say?

The name of the developer was public knowledge, I just can't recall which one it was. They line up potential occupants that don't wish to be known until they sign the final leases. It's not unusual for those names to remain secret, even from the city, especially since the development never happened. I'm not hiding anything and I don't understand what else you'd need to believe my facts. I have no reason to keep anything confidential. I may stick a slice of lemon in my water.

[JimRossi]

Say WAAAAT wrote:

<quoted text>
After those remarks, I may just stick to the kool aid.
Is it a common practice to keep City Administrators in the dark as to what's going on or is there some type of "top secret" confidentiality clause that runs it to perpetuity that keeps you from revealing any type of substance and facts to what you say?

I did some research on my computer. The developer was Ryan. I found a map of their proposal which included multi family housing in place of the concrete plant and a parking garage, east of the tracks, south of 159th. The city was never a proponent of that because it involved purchasing too many single family homes. The last plan I recall, was for the parking lot to be west of the tracks, and not touching the concrete plant. It was just too expensive for them to move their operation, or for anyone to buy them out to make it attractive for them to do so.
If you want the plan, I have it on a 2 MB file in PDF format that I can send. Just send me an email message with your email address to
[e-mail] m

[OF Watch]

Putting the parking lot and station in the area where the LeClaire apartments would have been ideal. A two-level parking structure with the station on the top deck would have been a very efficient design and the intersection at 159th & LeClaire could have been improved/widened to allow for the additional traffic.

The Ryan plan died when the new admin took over because that admin wanted to implement their own plan so they could take all of the credit for bringing in new development. The goal all along was to get something built at that corner during Kelly's first term, so she could tout it come re-election time. Problem was, she alienated so many people and completely botched how to develop that corner, that it backfired and she lost.

Its our loss that occurred, because we allowed a shyster to succeed her. Because as you all no, hes a nice guy.