A Moment Long Prepared For: Oak Park Celebrates Success in State of the City
(Crystal A. Proxmire, June 16, 2025)
Oak Park, MI – “This is a moment we’ve long prepared for, and guess what? It’s here.”
The words came from Oak Park City Manager Erik Tungate at the June 10 State of the City address where he and Mayor Marian McClellan talked about the city’s past, where they are today, and what they’re building for the future.
“We’re celebrating strong roots and reaching for new heights,” they each said during their presentation.
Mayor McClellan shared that in 1914 “the Majestic Land Company saw promise among the Oak Trees and thus Oak Park was born.”
Through the 40s, 50s, and 60s the city grew. Unlike other cities, which had deed restrictions to prevent minority home ownership, in Oak Park “everyone was welcome here.” The automotive industry fueled much of that growth, and in the 80s that growth came to a screeching halt.
By 2010, Oak Park had lost 20% of it’s population. “This was our lowest moment,” the mayor said. By 2012 the city faced insolvency. Newly elected at the time, Mayor McClellan and the recently hired city manager teamed up with the city council and members of the community to push for a Headlee override to provide more tax revenue to work with as they made plans to revive the struggling city.
In 2012-13, the city’s general fund had a $3.3 million deficit. Now, thanks to strategic investments, increased property values, a rising population, and the welcoming of new businesses, Oak Park now has a rainy day fund of $4.5 million. They also boast market value of homes at $800 million, and an A+ bond rating.
Tungate says the key has been balancing “financial responsibility with strategic growth.” That growth includes investments, such as the award-winning 9 Mile redesign which has added bike lanes, pocket parks, and playground equipment along what was once a long stretch without much to do other than to simply drive though. The new look and traffic calming measures have helped to attract new businesses to the corridor as well.
Eleven Mile Road has also been a place of growth. Oak Park created a Corridor Improvement Authority and began focusing on welcoming businesses to that area of town. Now that stretch is 100% leased, with businesses like Dog and Pony and Mother Handsome welcoming guests not only from the surrounding neighborhoods, but those who see Oak Park as a destination. “People all over the region are discovering Oak Park,” Mayor McClellan said. “We have a scene!”
Next up is taking some of that prosperity and investing it in amenities for the residents.
Not only did city leaders have their State of the City address, they also broke ground on the Elevate Oak Park project, which is adding features to the area around City Hall and Shepherd Park. Using a combination of grant money and voter-approved bonds, Oak Park is adding an event hub with a band shell, commercial kitchen, farmers market, and splash pad. There will also be indoor space for a pool, a walking track, and indoor play spaces for all ages. Shepherd Park is also getting upgrades, thanks to a partnership with Oakland County Parks, including pavilions, a kitchen, restrooms, and a nature-themed playground. They will be preserving the old growth trees and the beloved train playscape.
The City is also leveraging partnerships to make other improvements, including upgrades at Tyler Park in conjunction with Berkley Schools. They’re also teaming up with City of Southfield to add artistic lighting and landscaping at Greenfield Road. As the mayor said, “When we work together we all win.”
Learn more about the City of Oak Park at https://www.oakparkmi.gov/
