To list your property on this free online database, simply submit the brief online form for buildings or sites or contact us at 708/383-3838. Interior and exterior photos and floor plans can be attached to listings in JPG, GIF and PNG formats. Prospective renters and buyers can “shop” the database by putting selected listings in their property folder and printing fliers with property info and photos.

Please don’t forget to tell us when the property is leased or sold, or removed from the market, so we can delete the listing from the active list and keep our database current.

For additional questions or information contact Michelle Uhler at m.uhler@opdc.net.

“The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the Duman Entrepreneurship Center provides one-on-one counseling at no charge for start-ups and pre-existing small businesses in the Chicago metropolitan area. The Center offers entrepreneurial training, business assistance, mentoring and access to capital. The Center has been helping small business owners since 2001.

Made possible through a generous gift from Louis Duman to the Centennial Campaign of the Jewish Federation for the JVS Endowment Foundation and a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Center partners with local banks, government agencies, business professionals, business schools, organizations and the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago.”

-www.jvschicago.org/duman/

The Replogle Award for Community Merit

Presented to Martin J. Noll

28 February 2012

As presented by Mike O’Neill, President

Oak Park Area Association of Realtors

Community Merit Recipient 1994

The Oak Park Development Corporation’s Community Merit Award, named for our founding President, Arthur S. Replogle, is a special citation that honors the long-term commitment of an individual or institution.  Past recipients have demonstrated excellence in their particular field and each has had a far-reaching influence on the economic well- being of Oak Park.  This is particularly true of tonight’s honorees.

As your program indicates, in nearly 40 years this award has been presented just 14 times.  It is not an award we present annually — so it is particularly remarkable that OPDC will present two awards this evening.

Our first honoree has an exemplary record of investing time, talent and money in the community.  Although not a native to Oak Park, he was named one of the 100 people who’ve had the greatest impact on Oak Park.

As a businessman he has officed in Oak Park since 1988, presiding over financial institutions, including Oak Park Trust, First National Bank of Chicago and The Avenue Bank.  In 1996, with a symphony of support, he orchestrated the opening of Community Bank of Oak Park River Forest – a locally owned bank dedicated to the community it serves.

Marty Noll has served on, or as President, of a long list of Boards in our community including West Suburban Hospital, Dominican University and the Oak Park Education Foundation.  Most recently Marty served as one of the co-chairs of the Community Works Campaign that concluded in 2011 with over $5 Million of new gifts for the OPRF Community Foundation.

Marty began his commercial banking career in 1968 and it has provided him with important relationships, including service on Illinois Bankers Association and American Bankers Association.  But the most important relationship to come from banking is the one he shares with Mary Lou, his beloved wife and partner.  Together they have raised two accomplished daughters, Cassie and Rosemary.  And now, they enjoy time with grandson Liam, and twin granddaughters Charlotte and Annabel.

Marty has been an integral part of the Oak Park Development Corporation for 25 years, serving as its Chairman for more than 20.   As a member of the OPDC Board, I have time and time again seen the value of his leadership.  His dedication is only exceeded by his enthusiasm.

It is a great pleasure for me to present the Arthur S. Replogle award for Community Merit to Martin J. Noll.

The Replogle Award for Community Merit

Presented to Willis & Shirley Johnson

and The Lake Theater

28 February 2012

As presented by Mike O’Neill, President

Oak Park Area Association of Realtors

Community Merit Recipient 1994

Oak Park Development Corporation’s Community Merit Award, named for our founding President, Arthur S. Replogle, is a special citation that honors the long-term commitment of an individual or institution.  Past recipients have demonstrated excellence in their particular field and each has had a far-reaching influence on the economic well- being of Oak Park.  This is particularly true of tonight’s honorees.

As your program indicates, in nearly 40 years this award has been presented just 14 times.  It is not an award we present annually — so it is particularly remarkable that OPDC will present two awards this evening.

You will find few bigger fans of Art Replogle than tonight’s honorees.

The recipients of the second Replogle Award presented this evening have equally distinguished themselves; both within their industry and as an economic engine for Oak Park.

Thirty years ago he joined the Oak Park community when he leased a business in need of a more than a little TLC. The economic impact of that decision for Oak Park is hard to measure BUT it’s a lot more than popcorn sales (which are substantial).  As when they invested, so did others.

In 1984 Willis Johnson bought the Lake Theatre.  And so began the relationship between the Lake Theatre, Oak Park and Willis and Shirley Johnson.  First one screen, then three, then four in 1989 — and then, in 1996, there were seven.

Through the years they didn’t just run an arts-related business, they created art by painstakingly replicating the Art Deco detail of the 1936 Thomas Lamb creation.  All the while meeting the market on modern conveniences or staying up to date on the movie industries’ necessities.

Willis, who believes ardently in the importance of downtowns, was the first President of the Lake Harlem Corporation in 1988.  Now called Downtown Oak Park, he served again on its Board and as President.  Willis also brought the first Starbucks, among other regional and national tenants, to Oak Park.

The importance of the Lake Theatre is not just the iconic sign or the ability to see a movie on the big screen in a graceful building.  It’s more than the “first” job opportunities for kids and adults of differing capabilities.  There is a long list of businesses that chose an Oak Park location because the Lake Theater has been there to drive traffic past their doors day and night.

The Lake Theater and the Johnsons are true stars in our downtown and community.

Although I cannot present an Oscar as was suggested in Monday’s Tribune, I am very pleased to present the Replogle Award to Willis and Shirley Johnson of Classic Cinemas and the Lake Theatre.

After several months of planning, we’re proud to officially launch our new graphic identity and web presence.  The logo was created by the Chicago-based (and Oak Park owned) company a5 Inc., and our website developed in house, in order to freshen our approach to fostering economic growth in Oak Park.

Some of the new website’s features include:

• A more complete integration of the searchable Location One Information Service database, to assist you with locating commercial properties available and for sale.
• A virtual tour of Oak Park’s 12 unique business districts, including current business listings and contact information.
• Instructions on how to register for a SCORE appointment for free small business counseling/mentoring.
• Comprehensive information on our loan and grant programs.
• The ability to register for future email newsletters.
• And much more!

We hope you find the new website useful, and thank you for visiting.

If you have any ideas of your own as to how we may improve the site, we’d love to hear from you.  Please contact us with any feedback you may have.

Information about the grant program and the two-part application—1) Program Guidelines and 2) Application/Performance Agreement–is available on our website: www.opdc.net. (Click on “financial assistance programs.”)

We will contract with VOP during first quarter for the 2011 grant program. Providing us with your contact info will allow us to stay in touch with you about availability and deadlines for 2011 funds. Grant funds are committed on a first come-first served basis, after our review of your completed grant application. We cannot accept 2011 grant applications until the signed contract is in place.

Please let others in the Oak Park community know about this grant program. Our website, www.opdc.net has more information on this and other financial assistance available to local businesses.

Thank you for your investment in Oak Park. I look forward to working together with you on your grant project.

Michelle J. Uhler
Grant Administrator
Oak Park Development Corporation
104 N. Oak Park Ave.
Oak Park, IL 60301
708/383-3838