Sometimes it is interesting – or at least entertaining – to put something together with another thing that wouldn’t seem to go together at all.
What might be the result?
For instance, there were a couple of stories in the Oak Leaves recently that would seem not to be related at all.
The first story detailed how Oak Park officials are vowing to remain steadfast in maintaining the village as a sanctuary city.
As Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb said, “Being a welcoming city and being a city for everyone is what Oak Park and Oak Parkers are all about.”
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The second story was about a survey contending rental rates in Oak Park have risen 10 percent in one year, for an average rent of $1,808.
One reason given for the rise in rent is the construction of luxury apartments in the village.
For example, rent for the 270 apartments in Vantage Oak Park begins at $1,517 a month for a studio to $2,499 for a two-bedroom apartment.
The Oak Park Regional Housing Center disputes the survey. The center’s staff maintains there are rental units of varying price ranges in town.
Now, here is where the adding of disparate things becomes interesting.
Suppose Oak Park is moving in each of the directions outlined in those two stories.
Suppose Oak Park remains a sanctuary city.
And suppose Oak Park rental and home ownership costs keep rising.
Will people who need a sanctuary city in which to live be able to afford living in Oak Park?
Could Oak Park price itself out of the sanctuary city market?
Then, there is the opposite end of the spectrum.
Will everyone who moves to Oak Park live in a $2,499 a month apartment and own one, maybe two, SUVs?
What does the future hold?
Will Oak Park remain a welcoming and diverse community?
Or, are we seeing the birth of a sanctuary city for hedge fund managers?
Paul Sassone is a freelance columnist for Pioneer Press.