We, the undersigned, oppose the approval of the proposed development behind the Boulevard Arcade Building at 1035 South Boulevard because it creates serious risks to public safety, essential access, and the continued operation of neighboring businesses and community-serving organizations.

The project would require up to two years of construction, including full or prolonged closure of a critical alley used for parking, emergency exits, deliveries, waste removal, building maintenance, and emergency vehicle access. This closure would eliminate vital local parking needed for employees, customers/clients, and residents, block emergency egress, and severely disrupt daily operations for adjacent businesses and emergency service providers.

Once built, the development would permanently worsen congestion in an already overburdened 20-foot-wide alley that currently cannot safely accommodate two-way traffic. This narrow alley cannot safely handle increased traffic, delivery vehicles, or cars queued for the mechanical parking lifts that are integral to the proposed development. Any alley blockage would endanger emergency and regular access and trap staff and clients with no safe or timely means of exit.

Approving this project as designed prioritizes density over safety and development over the needs of existing community institutions and residents. We believe that Oak Park can pursue growth without endangering critical services or compromising public safety. We request that the Plan Commission require a redesign that fully resolves these issues or deny the project to protect access, safety, and essential services.