COMMUNITY ACTIVISM IN OAK PARK: COMPETING AGENDAS ...

Oak Park will be used in different ways. Homeowners, subsidized housing occupants,
and resident activists have had competing claims on limited space. Currently, existing
land in Oak Park consists of 1,305 acres, comprised of 54% residential land, 7% public
land, 6% retail/commercial land, 6% church owned land, 5% vacant land, and 22% land
used in other ways (see Figure 2) (SHRA 2005:2). As of the 2000, 38.1% of Oak Park’s
housing units (in the 95817 zip code area) were owner occupied, compared to a rate of
66.2% statewide, and 61.9% of Oak Park’s housing units (in the 95817 zip code area)
were renter occupied, compared to a rate of 33.8% statewide (U.S. Census Bureau 2000).
Oak Park residents have varying jobs, lifestyles, and social habits that overlap and
come into conflict with each other. Although these groups occupy the same geographic
area and have their own culturally-distinct history, lifestyle, and perspectives, which
diverge drastically from one another, their presence has helped form the neighborhood
and has affected how each party perceives its neighbors and “home,” Oak Park.
The St. HOPE Corporation, 15 an outgrowth of St. HOPE Academy, was founded
in 1989, by NBA basketball player Kevin Johnson, a native of Sacramento. The St.
HOPE Corporation is an organization that focuses on redevelopment of the Oak Park
community and on the restoration of historic Oak Park structures. In 2003, the “40
Acres” complex, which contains a bookstore, art gallery, theater, barbershop, and
Starbuck’s coffee shop, opened in renovated historic buildings. The close proximity of
the neighborhood to downtown and the abundance of affordable housing have attracted
many people. In addition, people are drawn to the earthy bohemian environment of Oak
Park, which has become more urban in appearance and attitude. The middle-class has
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