Mayor’s Column – June 2025
Mayor’s Remarks – Swearing In
Monday, June 2, 2025
I want to thank the residents of Franklin Park who have given us their trust and confidence to continue serving as your Mayor, Clerk, and Trustee. It is said that if you have a job you love, you will never ‘work’ a day in your life. I have been fortunate to have such a job. That’s why I genuinely believe that EVERY Day is a holiday when you live in Franklin Park.
Thank you, Justice Scott Neville, for administering the oath of office. Congratulations to the Board members who were elected with me, Village Clerk April Arellano and Trustees John Johnson, Karen Special and Andy Ybarra.
It is an honor to serve as Village President in the community in which I was born and raised. I remain committed to our mission of continuing to make Franklin Park a wonderful place to raise a family, start a business, and spend your golden years.
The dedication of our talented staff and the commitment of our Elected Officials are what allow us to keep moving Franklin Park forward. We have accomplished much, but there is still much to do.
In a changing, and often uncertain world, we must commit to tolerance and understanding. We must continue to enhance the safety of our neighborhoods, and the well-being of all our residents.
I have often said that we are a village of neighbors. Neighbors look out for each other, offer a helping hand, and relish the diversity of ideas and faiths.
Working together, this great community, our shared home, will continue to thrive and prosper.
I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve.
Thank you.
Village Adopts Plan for Grand Avenue
The Village has adopted the Grand Avenue Corridor Plan which will serve as a framework to make decisions regarding land use, transportation, economic development, and other infrastructure improvements along Grand Avenue.
Input from the community was a critical part of the planning process. Thank you to the residents, senior citizens, transit riders, property owners, and members of the business community who took the time to attend planning meetings and make their voices heard about what is important to them as we move forward.
The plan will focus on:
- Making improvements to Grand Avenue will provide a safer and more accessible street for pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles. It will also create a more walkable and enjoyable experience for all.
- Promoting access to public transit along the Grand Avenue corridor by making it more convenient and easier to reach bus stops.
- Identifying economic development opportunities to support small businesses and to utilize vacant properties for outdoor dining, art installations, community events, and temporary uses, such as pop-up stores, and pop-up parks, and more.
- Including landscaping that expands the tree canopy and adds greenery to prevent flooding. This will make Grand Avenue more inviting.
We will continue to keep you updated as we make progress on Grand Avenue. You can read the entire Grand Avenue corridor Plan here: COMMUNITY DEVOLPMENT PAGE
Mayor Barrett Pedersen