Residents Invited To Take 2nd Poll To Improve Southwest Highway

OAK LAWN, IL — The Village of Oak Lawn is seeking community input on a study to improve the Southwest Highway Corridor. A second community survey is online now for the corridor area for the area between Ridgeland Avenue (southwest) and 93rd Street (northeast). The study also includes a half-mile area surrounding the Southwest corridor.

The first poll taken last fall identified residents’ core concerns, including traffic calming, a walking/bike path, beautification and walkability. Now, residents are being asked to envision what those outcomes might look like.

The goal of the study is to develop a plan for a more welcoming environment for walking and biking, identify economic development opportunities and to reinforce a sense of place for the c0mmunity. The corridor planning consultant team includes:

• Teska Associates (urban design and public outreach)
• Business Districts Inc (economic development)
• Gewalt Hamilton Associates (transportation planning)

No strangers to Oak Lawn, this team was involved in past studies, including the 95th Street Corridor Plan (funded in part by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, CMAP) and the Ridgeland Avenue Corridor Plan (funded in part by the Regional Transportation Authority, RTA).

An open house to view the preliminary planning concepts is planned from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 24 in the Oak Lawn Community High School Gymnasium/Auditorium, 9400 Southwest Highway.

Before you visit the open house, take the second poll and view the Southwest Highway Corridor Plan project website, including project documents and outcomes from the first poll.