Lee Bey lived in Oak Park and is currently the executive director of the Chicago Central Area Committee, an influential 50-year-old civic organization which is composed of about 75 of Chicago’s most prominent business people. The group focuses on the architecture, urban planning, transportation and the economic viability of the Loop.
Born on Chicago’s South Side, Lee graduated from Columbia College in journalism. He is a well known and respected architecture, planning and preservation critic formerly with the Chicago Sun-Times. He served as Mayor Daley’s deputy chief of staff for planning and design. With this rich background, Lee has a unique view of our village, which I found valuable.
Lee, you lived in Oak Park for a dozen years – 10 years ago. From that perspective can you describe living in Oak Park?
I grew up in the city, so moving to Oak Park was a natural transition. Oak Park has a variety of housing, Victorians to Modern in style. I was not interested in a suburb that was without walk-able streets, public transportation, and culture. I felt comfortable there. I now live in Beverly, which has a similar feel, with its interest in preservation.
You are an advocate of the New Urbanism movement in community planning. These new towns could be thought of as being modeled after Oak Park, Beverly and similar suburban areas in the U.S. Is it important to consider what we have now, before planning future communities?
Yes, the New Urbanism tenants were drawn from early 20th-century town plans. The compact gridded plans are defined by pedestrian scaled streets lined with trees and closely built homes and buildings. Their planning is based on walk-ability or biking versus driving to the town center and public transportation routes. Unfortunately, some of the new developments have become elitist, triggering an air of snobbishness which I find distasteful.
The New Urbanists prefer traditional versus modern architecture. Do you agree with this strategy?
I believe that the architecture should be of its time, architecture that makes sense and is functional. It should respect the spirit of the past in context. The relatively new Oak Park Library is a good example of a modern building well related to its adjacent buildings and park.
You have written a good deal about historic architecture. Your articles on the Reebie Brothers Storage, the Chicago Motor Club and the Pride Cleaners reveal a nostalgic interest in the history of architecture. Where did you find this interest?
When I was young, we would drive to my relative’s homes and I would drink in all the buildings from my perch in the backseat. The city is full of celebrated churches, schools, libraries that all intrigued me as they established neighborhoods surrounded by houses that became homes.
As a critic with the Sun Times you supported preservation and used your position to shape public opinion. On Mayor Dailey’s Preservation Commission you were effective at building political consensus. In our small community, preservation is front and center in most all debates regarding the physical environment. What do you believe creates the tipping point in favor of preservation?
Oak Park ‘gets it.’ The community understands that preservation is not about a single building, but architecture in context. A Wright home surrounded by McMansions is not a pretty sight. The proposed expansion of the Wright historic district is very wise.
As the executive director of the CCAC, what can Oak Park learn from your organization’s experience?
Be mindful of the edges and cultivate the unique magical qualities such as the Harrison Street Arts District.
If you were to give one recommendation to the residents of Oak Park, what would that be?
Don’t be afraid of height and density — they bring people and vitality to the streets. Lack of concentration is emptiness. Density is not the same as congestion when properly planned.
Oak Parker Garret Eakin is an award winning residential architect, a preservation commissioner and an adjunct professor at the School of the Art Institute. www.garreteakin.com
