Streetscape construction continues across central business district
Starting Monday, November 2, Oak Park Avenue will be closed at North Boulevard so crews can pour concrete and install bricks throughout this intersection.
Two way local access will route traffic between Kenilworth and Euclid avenues (see map below).
The Avenue Parking garage should be accessed via North Blvd at Euclid Ave for both entering and exiting the garage.
Angled parking between Kenilworth and Euclid on North Boulevard will temporarily end to create the additional traffic lane, with all parking – including overnight permit parking – redirected to the 100-200 block of S. Kenilworth.
Please use Lake Street as a thru-traffic alternative.
Pedestrian access will be maintained through the Oak Park Ave and North Blvd intersection at all times.
Weather permitting, work is expected to last 10 days.
Stage 4 of the massive, five-stage Renew the Avenue construction includes installation of brick pavers and a wide array of streetscape improvements, from lighting to landscaping. Both are currently under way as pavement restoration work continues along Oak Park Avenue and under the train embankment.
All stores, restaurants, and businesses in the Hemingway District are fully open via sidewalk access!
Free 90-minute parking during construction is available Monday–Saturday (and all day Sunday) just steps away at the conveniently located Avenue Garage, 720 North Boulevard.
Please support our retail neighbors throughout construction; visit the Hemingway District website for the latest exciting District promotions and updates!
Sewer and water main replacement work is complete; electrical work and pavement restoration, installation of brick pavers, and streetscape refurbishment are now under way.
Recommended thru-traffic detours are Harlem Avenue (for trucks) and Ridgeland Avenue (for all other vehicles).
The project is on track to be substantially complete by Thanksgiving 2026. Mark your calendars and join us Saturday, Nov. 14 for a festive community block party along Oak Park Avenue as it readies for reopening!
Utility and transportation partners including NICOR Gas, Commonwealth Edison, and Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) have also coordinated infrastructure improvements during the construction project. UPRR repaired the viaduct and elevated railroad at Oak Park Avenue. New illuminated panels there, featuring Oak Park-themed art, will improve visibility and enhance pedestrian safety.
Sample panel concept design shown above. See final design renderings.
View archived emails:
October 22: Prepping and Painting
October 15: Family Fun This Saturday
October 8: Pleasant (Street) Detour Coming
October 1: Bricklaying Moves Into the Fast Lane
September 24: Framing a New Perspective
September 17: Taking Shape
September 10: Planting for Future Growth
September 3: A Ton of Bricks
August 27: Advancing North
August 20: The Dirt Worth Knowing
August 13: Eyes Looking North
August 6: When Pedaling Pays Off
July 30: Keeping It All Clean
July 23: Ramping Up
July 16: Beating the Heat!
July 9: More Concrete Progress
July 2: (Pedal) Powering Through Construction
June 25: The Best-Laid Plans
June 18: Nearing the Halfway Mark
June 11: Avenue (Partially) Reopens
June 4: New Water Main Service Launches
May 28: Forward. Every. Workday.
May 21: ‘Layering’ Progress Over the Summer Months
May 14: Planning & Progress
May 7: Paving the Way
April 30: Improvements Worth the 'Squeeze'
April 23: All Flags Flying + New Podcast
April 16: Making New Connections
April 9: What Lies Beneath
April 2: Walk This Way
March 26: The Sounds of – Recycling
March 17: A New Season of Construction
March 10: Digging Deep
March 3: Forward March
February 26: Moving Right Along
February 19: More Trees Coming This Spring
February 12: More Free Parking Throughout Construction
February 5: You’ll ❤️ to Know Construction Has Begun!
January 29: Groundhog Day Forecast?
January 22: Oak Park Avenue Stays Open
January 15: Happy ‘RENEW’ Year!