Oak Park Seeking Artists for Nine Mile Corridor Project
(City of Oak Park, April 26, 2021)
Oak Park, MI – The City of Oak Park recently issued a Request-for-Proposals (RFP) for experienced, professional artists interested in developing projects along the city’s Nine Mile Road corridor.
Proposals are due for the Oak Park Public Arts Commission’s review by May 14, 2021, after which Oak Park City Council will select the final artists.
The City seeks design proposals for a public art exhibit for multiple locations along a linear park. Pieces should be large-scale, visible to both automobile and pedestrian traffic, and serve as iconic landmarks on the Nine Mile Corridor.
The RFP is posted on the City of Oak Park website.
“When the city launched the Nine Mile Redesign project in 2015, our goal was to redevelop the residential and commercial corridor to offer our residents leisure amenities for all ages and abilities, as well as to increase foot traffic for our local businesses,” Oak Park City Manager Erik Tungate said. “It is also our hope that these aesthetic improvements will increase property values and attract new businesses to the area.”
The Nine Mile Redesign project is a long-term endeavor aimed at redeveloping Nine Mile Road within the City of Oak Park’s border, which runs from Greenfield Road to its eastern border with the City of Ferndale.
In 2020,the city completed construction on two pocket parks, a unique trailhead for pedestrians, and a road diet to accommodate bike lanes east of McClain street.
The current phase of the project involves construction of anew linear park on the south side of Nine Mile Road between Scotia and Rosewood streets,and a connector park that bridges the linear park with the neighborhood.
“This is the perfect time to involve the artists,” Director of Strategic Planning and Special Projects Crystal VanVleck commented. “Construction of the liner park begins this summer, and the goal is to have the public art exhibit installed next spring.”
In addition to the public art installations, elements of the new linear park will include lighting, benches, and play structures for children, which were chosen with the help of public input. The Nine Mile Redesign Project has been funded largely by grants, including a $50,000 grant-match by the Economic Development Corporation to support the linear park phase.
The City of Oak Park Oak Park is situated on the southern-most border of Oakland County, Michigan, and serves as a suburban ambassador to Detroit. Incorporated as a city in 1945, today Oak Park’s population exceeds 30,000 and is home to more than 700 local businesses and corporate headquarters. Learn more at the City of Oak Park website.