INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT GROWTH Beneath the visible change, Oak Forest is investing heavily in what residents rarely see: core infrastructure. Much of the city’s water and sewer network dates to the 1960s and ’70s. Each year, Oak Forest pairs street resurfacing with underground utility replacements to modernize mains and lines rather than simply repave over aging systems. “It’s not cheap,” Mayor Hortsman acknowledges,“but it’s essential.You can’t attract new development without a reliable foundation.” A BUSINESS FORWARD APPROACH On the commercial side, the city coordinates closely with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District to ensure modern sanitary connections and capacity. Sidewalk programs and trail linkages are also a priority, with new segments tying neighborhoods to the station area and to commercial corridors. Infrastructure, in Oak Forest’s view, is as much about connectivity and safety as it is about pipes and pavement. Several major projects underscore how this approach scales.A 650,000-square-foot industrial development required intricate infrastructure coordination and new water and sewer service extensions negotiated across property lines; with those hurdles cleared, the project now anchors a stronger industrial base. On the north side, a modern senior care facility has broken ground, with grading completed and vertical construction underway; a formal groundbreaking was held in late September —an investment that expands care options for residents while adding jobs. Meanwhile, the final “Gateway” pads at the northwest GENERATIONS OF FLAVOR E. Formella & Sons expands with Simply Salsa PRODUCT OF USA address: 16425 Kilbourn Ave, Oak Forest, IL 60452 website: www.formella.com www.simplysalsas.com phone: 708-598-0909 email: office@formella.com office@simplysalsas.com Proudly crafted right here in the heart of Oak Forest Established in 1909 A family-operated business for 4 generations Distributor, Retail, Foodservice, and Private Label Inquiries Welcome! 128 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12
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