Development News

May 2017

The McDonald’s at 5441 W. 159th Street will close at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, May 14 as it begins a major remodeling project that is expected to be completed by mid-September. Once completed, the new restaurant will boast a side-by-side drive thru and a brand new dining room with state-of-the-art amenities (see rendering).  

McDonalds 2


March 2017
Anytime Fitness

 New Business Openings

The City of Oak Forest welcomes the following businesses to town:

Fisherman's Island
4142 W. 167th Street

Mr. Sub (under new management)
5333 W. 159th Street

Bailey's Bar & Grill 
15548 S. Cicero Avenue

Artisan Bake & Brew (Mobil Gas Station)
14701 Central Avenue

Dougs Dogs (under new management)
6200 W. 159th Street

The Barber Studio
15120 S. Cicero Avenue

Wiiipy LLC
6000 W. 159th Street

American Muffler
6006 W. 159th Street

Metro PCS
5204 W. 159th Street

Color Me New
4815 W. 155th Street

King Tut Beauty Salon
4142 W. 167th Street

December 2, 2016
ATI Now Open


November 21, 2016
Family Dollar Now Open

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Eagle Sports Range Opens in Oak Forest 

 
The City of Oak Forest, Oak Forest-Crestwood Area Chamber of Commerce and the Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau are thrilled to announce the opening of Eagle Sports Range at 5900 W. 159th Street in Oak Forest.


“We are so pleased to welcome Eagle Sports Range to our community,” said Mayor Hank Kuspa. “It’s definitely going to be a destination for Oak Forest and the Chicago Southland overall.”

The 30,000-square-foot facility includes climate-controlled indoor shooting bays (six long-range, 22 short-range), firearm and retail space, a training simulator, a viewing area, a full-service gunsmith shop, and private member lounges. It also includes meeting rooms for conceal carry classes, safety seminars, instructional sport shooting, and self-defense training.

“There’s really nothing like it in the area,” said Oak Forest Community Development Director Adam Dotson. “From the lobby to the ranges to the classrooms, the owners have paid attention to detail to ensure a safe, positive experience for seasoned and novice shooters alike.”

The facility was constructed following the best practices of the industry as outlined by the National Rifle Association and National Shooting Sports Foundation. Its design adheres to the U.S. Department of Energy’s range design criteria, including sound reduction techniques, HEPA filters for exhaust fans, building materials that fully contain bullets, and a state-of-the-art surveillance system.

"Eagle Sports Range will be an important economic driver that will benefit the City of Oak Forest and the Chicago Southland," said Jim Garrett, President/CEO for the Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau. "We look forward to attracting marksmanship competitions that will lead to job creation and additional tax revenues."

The range is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information or to learn about membership options, call 708-535-3000.

Starbucks
Starbucks and Family Dollar 712016

City of Oak Forest receives state grants to fund sidewalks surrounding train station 

The City of Oak Forest has received 100 percent funding through the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) to connect east and west sidewalks from 155th Street to 158th Street from Lamon Avenue to Long Avenue.  The RTA’s Access to Transit Improvement Program and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality grants will cover the total cost of the project, which is $564,887. 

“This initiative to create a safer walkable neighborhood that is conducive to the average commuter and promotes this area as a commuter destination is extremely important to the City of Oak Forest,” said Mayor Hank Kuspa.  “We have worked with the RTA in the past to bring new life to our Metra train station and we hope to continue this productive relationship further.  With these improvements and our own programs to spur development, we can promote Metra ridership and transit systems by creating a true transit-oriented neighborhood that is inviting to cyclists, pedestrians and motorists alike.”

Once the sidewalks are in place, the city will seek additional improvements to the area, including wayfinding signage to provide direction to the train station, ADA accessibility points to existing infrastructure, and new pedestrian lighting to ensure safe walkability of the transit-oriented neighborhood.  The city will be eligible for another round of RTA grant funding in two years.  

Three national retailers coming to Oak Forest in 2016

The City of Oak Forest is pleased to announce that three national retailers will open stores in Oak Forest in 2016.  The retailers are Family Dollar at 5400 W. 159th Street, Ace Hardware at 15426 S. Cicero Avenue, and Starbucks at the northwest corner of 159th and Cicero Avenue.  Starbucks will be joined in the Gateway Development by ATI, a nationally-recognized physical therapy provider. 

“Oak Forest has a lot to look forward to in the New Year,” said Mayor Hank Kuspa.  “I know I will be first in line to welcome these businesses to our community, especially the Ebel family at Ace Hardware.  It feels a little like a homecoming to have Ace back on Cicero Avenue.”    

Construction at the three sites is expected to begin in March.  Family Dollar will build a new 8,300-square-foot facility while Starbucks and ATI will share space in a newly constructed 5,000-square-foot building.   Ace Hardware will transform the former House of Brews/Numero Uno site into an 11,000-square-foot retail center with a log-cabin exterior and a garden center in the rear parking lot.

“We realize that residents have been anxious to see some progress at many of these locations,” said Community Development Director Adam Dotson.  “Development can be a slow process, but we believe that we are picking up momentum and that more good things are in store for our community.