Neighborhood Business Districts

In addition to the six-block area referred to as the Far Hills Avenue Business District, Oakwood has three other areas that permit business. These locations are noted on the map on the following page. The character of these small pockets of business differs from the Far Hills Avenue Business District in a number of ways. For the most part, the buildings are more residential looking. All have pitched roofs with gables, hips, or a gambrel roof. The windows are punched openings and typically are more residential looking. All are surrounded by more vegetation and are in the vicinity of a residence. The singular nature of the buildings allows for alleyways, which allow immediate access to rear parking but compromise the street edge. The overall impact of the low massing and the space between buildings is residential in nature and results in a more pedestrian scale.

Park Avenue

The Park Avenue District includes the city government building, several single small commercial buildings, and single residences. Many of the residences house medical, travel, and beauty establishments. The government building is residentially styled, but is not of residential scale. Built toward the beginning of the city's development, it typifies an architectural style evident in much of Oakwood's larger old homes, the high school, and Smith Elementary School.

Far Hills Avenue at Schantz Avenue

At the intersection on the east side are two residential-type structures. One is occupied by a real estate agency, and the other houses attorneys' offices.

Oakwood Avenue at Springhouse Road and Irving Avenue

There are civic structures in this area. The Board of Education, The Water Department, and the Post Office are on the west side, and across Oakwood Avenue is a Funeral Home.

Acorn Drive at Shroyer Road and Dellwood Avenue

The intersection of these three streets defines a triangular lot with a single business housed in Tudor styling.

Statement of the Problem

Unmonitored growth of business would quickly obscure the perception of the districts as being a part of the City of Oakwood. This document presents a summary of the Far Hills Business District's and the Neighborhood Business District's historic development, records its current state, and provides a guideline that will assist the leaders of the community in maintaining the Oakwood Business District's character as a vital part of the city.