From Concrete to Community… Not Convenience Store Fuel Pumps

Let’s Reimagine Harlem & Garfield: A Smarter, Community-Driven Use for a Key Oak Park Site

By Laurie Christofano, Oak Park Realtor

A gas station and convenience store might be what’s proposed—but is it what’s best for Oak Park?

At the corner of Harlem and Garfield—stretching to Maple and Lexington—sits an unusually large, underutilized parcel of privately owned land. Its proximity to I-290, the Blue Line, and Maple Park makes it uniquely positioned for something that serves more than cars and quick snacks.

It’s time we ask: Could this land serve the community in a deeper, more meaningful way?

A Mixed-Use Vision Rooted in Oak Park’s Values

Instead of another gas station, imagine a thoughtfully scaled, brick-and-glass development that blends with the neighborhood’s aesthetic while bringing long-term economic and social value.

• Ground level: A brewpub or café, a small-format grocer, and retail space for local businesses—generating sales tax revenue and offering walkable amenities to nearby families and commuters.
• South end: Adjacent to Maple Park, a family-friendly indoor play space for year-round connection and movement.
• Above: A mix of 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom residential units, welcoming downsizers, young professionals, and families looking to stay rooted in Oak Park.
• Northwest corner: A boutique hotel tower, tucked away from residential homes, offering convenient lodging for out-of-town visitors and capturing hospitality tax revenue—without overwhelming the neighborhood.

Thoughtful Design, Community Return

This is not about building a mega-development. It’s about building smart, maximizing walkability, livability, and long-term economic sustainability.

• Adds housing options without displacing anyone
• Builds community-serving retail where none exists
• Generates ongoing tax revenue to support schools, parks, and infrastructure
• Aligns with Oak Park’s comprehensive plan goals for smart infill and transit-oriented development

Let’s Not Waste This Opportunity

There’s no re-do button for a site like this. We can’t afford to permanently turn over this much land in such a strategic location to a low-value, high-pollution use that serves so few.

While it may be privately owned, that doesn’t mean residents have no voice. We can advocate for better. We can ask the Village to hold developers to a higher standard. And we can organize around a vision that reflects the future we want to build in Oak Park.

Laurie Christofano is a longtime Oak Parker and Realtor specializing in walkable, inclusive communities. She helps buyers, sellers, and daydreamers navigate life changes with insight, empathy, and strategy. Find her at OPRFhomesforsale.com.