One of the many reasons why the 10-story tower proposed behind the Boulevard Arcade Building does not work, is that it requires a car-elevator system to move cars in and out of the building. Car elevators are notorious for malfunctioning and require lengthy repair times.
Of the 39 parking spaces, 36 of them require the use of car elevators to move them either one or two stories. The process of moving a car in and out is extremely slow compared to a ramp system. Just imagine the back-up in an already crowded alleyway if 10-15 cars are trying to get into the building while several others are trying to exit simultaneously. This lengthy queue in the alley is bound to lead to perilous gridlock which could create life-threatening situations due to delayed emergency responders, i.e. fire trucks, EMTs and police. There is not enough room in the alley for a fire truck or large emergency vehicle to pass the line of cars that are waiting for the car elevator system.
This life-threatening risk is something that can be prevented and why the village of Oak Park should not approve this proposed building with a car-elevator system.
John Marquardt
Oak Park
