If Oak Park needs more open land and park space — and I agree that it does — what makes more sense: capping the Ike for $67 million to get 3.1 acres, or spending $15 million to get 5.5 acres?
How, you say? Easy: exercise eminent domain for the entire block I live on, bounded by Scoville, Erie, East and Superior. By my calculations, that’s more than 5.5 acres of land. There are only 15 houses, so something on the order of $15 million ought to cover the acquisition cost.
Better yet, tear down Cheney Mansion and acquire the rest of that block by eminent domain. And let the high school pay for installation of underground parking if they like.
Bob Stigger
Oak Park