Property transfers p. B12
April 14, 2021
Homes
Powered by the Oak Park Area Association of Realtors
Rendering provided by Oak Park Residence Corporation
Res Corp seeks game changer with new development Net-zero design at heart of proposal at Austin and Van Buren By LACEY SIKORA
O
Contributing Reporter
ak Park Residence Corporation, a nonprofit community development organization whose mission is to promote Oak Park as a diverse and economically balanced community by providing high-quality multifamily rental housing at reasonable rates for households of all income levels, has big plans for the mid-century, multifamily building it owns at 7 Van Buren St. OPRC plans to raze the building and erect a new six-story building in its place. “It was getting to the point where we either needed to invest in it significantly or replace it,” said David Pope, OPRC president and CEO. In making the decision to replace the modest 12-unit building with something else, he says that there were six
primary arguments against new development in Oak Park that guided the thinking on the new building. These arguments include: Why does every building have to be tall? There aren’t enough affordable units. The only accessible units are in downtown Oak Park. Why does all new development in Oak Park only happen downtown? What about environmental sustainability? Why can’t we build buildings that are beautiful? Pope says the proposed building will answer those questions and break new ground in Oak Park. At six stories, the proposed building is taller than the existing building but is no high-rise. Of its 44 units, 24 will be set aside as affordable housing. The building will be accessible, with an elevator. Pope calls the project “the first significant investment, from a residential standpoint, on Austin in over 50 years.” “It might really signal to others that you can invest in this area of Oak Park,” he added. The development team, which includes design architect Kahler Slater and mechanical engineering group dbHMS, is also aiming high in terms of environmental sustainability
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
BIG CHANGE? Res Corp wants to transform an existing mid-century modern building (above) at 7 Van Buren St. into an energy-efficient development (top) that will incorporate affordable housing and will serve as an example of how to approach future projects in Oak Park. and brought in Oak Parker Tom Bassett-Dilley, an architect and expert on passive house design, to help raise the bar. Passive house techniques use passive influences in a building – like sunshine, shading and ventilation – instead of systems such as air conditioning and central heating. Combining these techniques with very high levels of insulation and airtightness, makes it possible for a passive home to use 90 percent less energy than a typical dwelling. The proposed building for 7 Van Buren St. will follow passive house techniques, but also aims even higher to create a net-zero building, which means the total amount of energy used by the building on an annual basis will be roughly See DEVELOPMENT on page B6
April 14, 2021 ■ Wednesday Journal/Forest Park Review
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