ATTENTION OAK PARKERS! We must take action and fight against new developments threatening to diminish our town!

I’m Sally Bazaar, and I have proudly been the owner of a Frank Lloyd Wright house for 23 years. Lately, I see my neighborhood falling apart. Ambrosia Homes Inc. is aiming to build a luxury apartment building in Oak Park. And I’m here to say NO WAY.  

I am upset and you should be too. An apartment building would stick out like a sore thumb in the middle of all of our perfect houses. REAL houses, such as mine or yours, have perfectly groomed lawns that you never have to touch because you hired the top landscaper in town, a gorgeous porch with railings encrusted with fine metals that glint in the sun, and something all of us love, a personal three-car garage for your two Teslas. This is a “Wright” sized house. Apartment buildings are not.

Our detractors say: “What about the many apartment buildings in Oak Park already?” and “Apartments are helping the Oak Park community grow.” Too bad, I don’t want it to! A new apartment building would only bring more people to this town who can’t afford or appreciate nice architecture, disturbing those who live around them. It would cause traffic problems and fill our schools with unknown children. Utter havoc! This is OUR neighborhood! This is the Frank Lloyd Wright district we are talking about! The look and size of an apartment building is just far too distracting and unattractive. I don’t know how many times I can say it. 

Recently, though, you may have been seeing signs in the yards of your neighbors that say “Oak Parkers for Wright Sized Development,” in honor of our favorite architect. This group was formed to battle Ambrosia Homes Inc.’s proposal. The OTHER members of the group want to get rid of the apartment plan entirely. But their fabulous and compelling arguments provide just an adequate solution and do not address the issue of people being able to afford these indulgent apartments.

BUT, I have a revolutionary vision. 

I propose that we build one single robust house in the lot instead. A grand home. The same footprint as the apartment building would have had, with sandalwood flooring, porcelain bathroom tile and a humble gazebo in the middle of a well-groomed yard with enough room to build a pool, or even an ice rink, if the owners wish to do so. Finished basement and attic, perfect space to add all of your exercise equipment, and maybe even your teen’s fancy gaming setup. A nice porch and balcony, perfect for sipping coffee in the morning. And, OF COURSE, the three-car garage that is conveniently connected directly to the mudroom that stores your Patagonia outerwear.

It would attract a passersby’s eye, and I can assure that this finely built home would provide love and care for a family of four (mother, father, son and daughter) or maybe just a wealthy man and his five great danes.

Some of the less informed Oak Parkers might say that this plan is utterly “gargantuan” and “ridiculous,” but I say yes, it SHOULD be gargantuan, and no, it is not ridiculous! Here is why:  

First, I know that myself and others pay far too much money to keep our gardens in check just for an eye sore of an apartment building to block the sun which should be shining on OUR green grasses.   

Secondly, this nice, large, “Wright” sized house would support the aesthetic of Oak Park. Throwing some accessible and opportunistic apartment building on the side of the road does not play into the cohesion of Oak Park as a whole. 

Most importantly, though, I think we can all agree that diversity is an important value in Oak Park. Because of this, I believe that luxury apartment buildings are not the answer. With luxury apartments, how will we have housing or income diversity? Ambrosia Homes Inc. expects far too much. The way to attract diversity into a community is to have nice three-story homes available. Who cares about inviting MORE people to move to Oak Park? We need to focus on attracting the best. Taking it step by step. One big house would attract many people but only the best would get it. Don’t we want the best for our neighborhood?

Some might say, “Why not build affordable apartments in the lot? It would provide homes for so many.” I don’t want to hear it! Apartment buildings are not wanted here! Keep Oak Park homes “Wright” sized. That’s the way it should be. That’s the way it should stay.

#wrightoakpark      #oakparkarguesagainstatrociousapartments      #keepoakparkwright      #begone

#suckitambrosiahomes     #nottoday      #notinmybackyard     #messwiththeoakandyougetthepark 

#iminlovewithfranklloydwright