Future of Oak Park (Forest Park: homes, high school, live)

[Greektown Kid]

So Oak Park- the progessive, well planned, urban suburb known around the world for its FLW architecture.

Over the last few decades it has seen a fall in crime, continued increase in housing values, many renovations done to its historic homes and mansions, and the creation of a more lively (yet chain-popular downtown).

However, it has also suffered difficulties dealing with its loss of mom and pop stores to Forest Park, an increased/more visible drug trade, and issues with its schools' academic performance.

What are your predictions about this community's future?

[linicx]

It's been a desirable address for more than 100-years. I would take a wait and see attitude because the houseing bust has not hit bottom and the economic downturn has not recovered. I think when the dust settles we will see a lot of things that have changed in the past and and will continue to change in the future. Thus far OP has proven it has been able to adapt to change rather well. Change is constant like the ebb and fllow of the ocean.

You do you really want the drugs and thugs out of schools? jail is not the answer and neitheris putting them on the streets. There is several way to do it. One way is to build a military campus similar to Mexico, Mo. Troubled kids go in young and do not leave until they graduate from high school. The new students do not talk to their parents for 90 days and do not see them for one year. Maybe. It is a very austere life for a while, but it is very effective. The thugs moreph into respectful, productive young adults with a good education.