Oak Park opens new event hub, celebrates years of community investment

“This year we are living in activation. We are moving from construction to connection, from planning to experience, and from a vision to reality,” says Oak Park City Manager Erik Tungate during his state of the city address on June 30. 

The event was to highlight the progress the city has made over the years and its commitment to its community. The event was special because it was held in the city’s new event hub, a key part of the city’s Elevate initiative. 

The event hub was completed on schedule and under its projected budget. At 4,200 square feet, the space can hold up to 200 guests. The outside of the hub features a mural by Louise Jones in collaboration with the Detroit Institute of Arts’ Partners in Public Arts program.

“These spaces belong to all of us. They are the result of [everyone’s] vision and patience, and will soon be the setting for celebrations from family gatherings to milestone moments,” says Mayor Marian McClellan.

The hub was one of the major requests citizens made throughout the years of public planning meetings. The city plans to use the hub for the farmers’ market, private events, and a year-round indoor public space. The event hub also features an outdoor bandshell and held its inaugural concert featuring Kimmie Horne. 

The event also marked a shift in Oak Park’s branding. A new logo and a black-and-gold color scheme were revealed, along with a redesigned website. As Phase One of the Elevate initiative ends, Oak Park is looking ahead with their new slogan, Oak Park Amplified. 

It was a moment of reflection and celebration for Tungate. He oversaw the city’s transformation in the last 15 years. At the beginning of his tenure, the city faced a deficit of over $3 million. At the time, the city projected that it would take 40 years to recover. The city overcame the deficit in less than half of that time.

“We were focused primarily on stability,” Tungate says. “Then, as we took charge of our own destiny, we began to rebuild, because as I had learned along my career, you can’t just cut your way to prosperity.”

Investing in the city was Oak Park’s solution. By creating new public spaces and redeveloping local gems like Shepard Park, the city hoped to attract new residents and businesses. In 2019, the city’s recovery entered the spotlight with its award-winning project, the Nine Mile redesign.

The Michigan Municipal League described it as “A prime example of a multi-faceted amenity that promotes healthy lifestyles, outdoor recreation, equitable access, economic vitality, placemaking, and environmental stewardship.”

The Nine Mile redesign was designed to link Oak Park’s numerous pocket parks and create new walkable paths to connect Oak Park with surrounding cities. It also linked residents with new businesses and arts and recreation opportunities.

City officials asked residents for input on where to go next. Residents made it clear after over 20 planning meetings that they desired more investment in recreation. This input would lead to the Elevate Oak Park initiative in 2022. 

In 2023, Residents approved two ballot proposals that were designed to fund the initiative. As phase one began, the city maintained planning meetings and often sought resident input as it implemented the plan. The first focus was on creating the event hub and community center.

By summer 2025, construction began on the new event hub and the redevelopment of Oak Park Woods and Shepard Park after receiving a $6.2 million grant from the Oakland County Parks Department.

“For most of the years I was mayor, communities like ours were overlooked for major investment. But that’s changed now. Today, we’re seeing meaningful investment in the places where most of us live and gather,” McClellan says.

June 30 marked the formal completion of phase one with the ribbon-cutting of the event hub. The city would later cut a ribbon on July 9, marking an expansion of the 11 Mile social district. 

McClellan joked about all the progress during her speech at the State of the City, “I have been cutting so many ribbons. I have to warn y’all to keep colorful packages away from me.”

Phase two will focus on completing the city’s community center. Michigan’s weather can be challenging for outdoor spaces, so an indoor facility was requested to provide year-round recreation opportunities. 

The city revealed new renderings of its plans for the community center. The center will feature an indoor aquatic center and pool, an elevated track, a lazy river, cardio and fitness areas, along with a gymnasium. Construction on the new community center is expected to begin in spring of 2027. 

Oak Park officials continue to state their commitment to residents and making the city not just a home but a destination for Metro-Detroit.

“We didn’t just hope for a second chance. We planned one,” Tungate says.

This story is part of a series supported by the city of Oak Park to highlight the people, businesses, and initiatives that make Oak Park a unique place to live.