|
|
hydepark.org
Hot Topics |
|
|
Community
Meetings, Forums, Events |
| 
Midweek on the Midway-- movies at dusk
every Wednesday through August at the rink, between Ellis and Woodlawn.
And
July 9, Wednesday, 6-9 pm.
SummerDance by City of Chicago comes to 63rd St. Beach house.
Free. Salsa to reggae, gospel to jazz. Couples, singles, families. Recommend
bringing a chair or blanket (and bug repellent). 6-7 lessons by Miquel
Mendez and Michael Angelo Mendez, followed by dancing and music by Willie
Gomez con Cache Orchestra (salsa, mambo, cha-cha. Parking. 6300 S. Lake
Shore Drive.
Local School Councils hold their biennial organizational meetings this
Jyly- call your school for date and time.
July
14, Monday, 7 pm. 53rd St. TIF ADVISORY COUNCIL
bimonthly meeting. Agenda items will include progress
report on Harper Court Area RFP, Update on Harper Theater bldg's, Report
from UC student retail panel, intro of Antheus Capital plans for Lake
Village Center shopping center. Hyde
Park Neighborhood Club, 5480 S. Kenwood. Details in TIF
News page.
Council committees are open not only in session but membership-
call 4th Ward to volunteer, 773 536-8103.
July 22,
Tuesday, 6 pm. Fifth Ward monthly meeting,
This month
at GSB Harper Center, 5807 S. Woodlawn. 773 324-5555.
July 24,
Thursday, 6:30 pm. Fifth Ward Olympic
Committee meets at Jackson Park
Field House, 6401 S. Stony Island. 773 324-5555.
July 25,
Friday, 6 pm. HPKCC Environmental Sustainability
Task Force
meets at Hyde Park Bank room 907, 1525 E. 53rd Street. Learn
what we're doing! Vicki
Suchovsky.
July 26,
Saturday, 10 am. Fourth Ward Monthly meeting
meets at
Monumental Baptist, 729 E. Oakwoood. 773 536-8103.
July 30,
Wednesday, 7 pm. HPKCC Schools Committee
meets at
United Church of Hyde Park, 1448 E. 53rd St. (Blackstone entry). Help
us forge ahead under our renewed
mission. Nancy Baum.
July 30,
Wednesday, 7 pm. Kenwood Park Usage Committee
meeting at
Hyde Park Bank 4th floor Conferenece Room, 1525 E. 53rd St. George
Rumsey. Past reports.
|
Detailed
Briefings |
Harper Court
At
the May 12 TIF meeting, Ald. Preckwinkle and representatives of the
University of Chicago, City of Chicago and Chicago Consultants Studio
announced that the University of Chicago has purchased Harper
Court for $6.5 million, is taking the lead in this and other 53rd
redevelopment. University administrators indicated that the purchase
brings a guaranteed renter for student and office uses, critically
drawing more developer interest, and the the University has been said
to be considering expansion of the footprint and pursuing its own
agenda--but we have no information so indicating.
THEREFORE
THE INFORMATION AND THE TONE AT THE JULY 14 TIF MEETING RE: HARPER
COURT, THE THEATER, AND RETAIL OBJECTIVES ARE VERY IMPORTANT. Meeting
details are in the TIF
Advisory Council Notes and Minutes homepage. View draft
guidelines. HPKCC
comments as in June 11 Hyde Park Herald.
TIF
Plg.-Dev. Committee
revised draft. Harper
Court Area home.
May
27 a fairly large number joined the TIF Planning and Development subcommittee
under Chuck Thurow to review and add to draft guidelines for Harper
Court RFP. Excellent suggestions were submitted. It
is possible that these and added comments submitted as below by June
30 will result in a revised final draft in time for the July 14 TIF
meeting. HPKCC sent a letter of principles and necessary inclusions.
The
Harper Court Arts Council, following its sale of the shopping center
to the University in April 2008, announced in June that it has a new
mission, bylaws, and expanded board with guarantee of expertise and
openness. The dual purpose is to continue (the original purpose of)
diversified properties and programs necessary for artisans, craftsmen,
educational, recreational and other services offered on a commercial
or not-for-profit basis and to support, benefit and provide for the
promotion of the arts with specific emphasis in the Hyde Park Kenwood
communities through grants and sponsorships to community based groups
and individuals.
The University, City and Alderman are proceeding to prepare a joint
RFQ/RFP for Harper Court and the adjoining city-owned parking lot
to be issued in the fall with full public input. They also announced
a one-month comment period of a proposed set of guidelines for
the RFP, closing June 12 (changed to 30th?)-- online at http://www.vision53.org/12.html.
(Highlights are on line in our Harper
Court homepage- find there also latest about current tenants and
a variety of takes on recent development.) Comments
on the guidelines should be sent to ccs@ccstudioinc.com
by June 12. About 30 met with the TIF Planning and
Development Committee May 27 to offer strengthening and additions
to the Guidelines. A revised document may be ready for the July 14
TIF meeting. May 12 a preliminary timetable was shared. Full
coverage, releases and analysis are in the Harper
Court home and sub pages. You can be sure HPKCC will
make a careful review of the entire process as well as the guidelines,
and propose any revisions or additions to the guidelines it thinks
necessary. The footprint could be expanded, including possibly
with the Harper Theater, whose fate is now uncertain with University
firing of its developer (See Harper
Theater RFP page).
(Other
happenings at the May 12 TIF meeting: George Rumsey of HPKCC
shared final results of the Harper Court Priorities Survey, Irene
Sherr gave results of the 53rd Street Vision Workshop II, L3 Development
presented and held Q and A on its revised development for 53rd and
Cornell (approved by the TIF), Susan Campbell of UC briefly described
state of the Harper Theater redevelopment, and local business improvements
were shared including news that Giordano's will remodel and add a
story keeping the facade. Details:TIF
Council mtgs. page.)
The
HPKCC/TIF Harper Court Priorities Web Survey Results
are online at hydepark.org/survey.
There were 1,700 responses and over 70 pages of comments and
ideas. Thanks to all who participated. Also visit Harper
Court home page. Next step: description and opening of comment
period on draft RFQ/RFP
A
new round of community forums and workshops have been held about Harper
Court and its Request for Proposals. Reports,
plus more in Harper Court page. This is a joint project of the
53rd Street TIF and Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference (contact
George Rumsey), commissioned by
Alderman Preckwinkle.
The
above is part of a new community-wide open process on 53rd Street
+ Future (building on the well- attended December 8 53rd St.
Vision Workshop-view reports in http://www.vision53.org).
HPKCC's
Development Committee and 53rd Street Future steering committee worked
with The TIF Business District Environment Committee to develop and
recommend an open community planning process in conjunction with the
city RFP process. DONE: COMPILE WHAT HAS BEEN SAID, CONDUCT A SURVEY,
HOLD AN INFO MEETING ON RFP. COMMISSIONED BY HPKCC SEPARATELY HAS
BEEN A PHYSICAL VISION SET OF WORKSHOPS.
HPKCC is a commissioner of a physical visioning process for a new
Harper Court with planners and architectural firms. Planning also
continues led by the TIF for a next 53rd (and beyond) Vision Workshop.
Visit 53rd
Vision and Development News, Development
details and opinions, Development
navigator, and TIF
News homepage which includes more about important neighborhood
links on these topics. Visit Reports and data from 2006
HPKCC Harper Court forums. Summary
doc. of past priorities input.
See also the January 2008 TIFormation
text. 2000
Vision for Hyde Park Retail District.
HPKCC's
Harper Court forums spring 2006 generated many ideas and a set of
principles, endorsed by HPKCC board and recognized widely as part
of the "prior studies" on future of 53rd retail. HPKCC has
held that we must not lose sight of these principles: continue to
include the original small business purpose, take care of current
tenants, have a public process on development, and have a more broadly
based board and oversight of the assets from sale. Visit reports on
February 26 forum in Harper
Court home. See
Survey results.
Visit the full reports, data and derived community principles from
the HPKCC 2006 Harper Court Forums:
In text version
May 06 Reporter; pdf
version. Summary
doc. of past Priorities inputs.
HPKCC Harper Court Reports
online, HPKCC Harper
Court workshops and reports.
Ideas and Principles. Tribune October 14 2007: chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/news/chi-mxa1014hydeparkoct14,0,6146963.story.
53rd Street Visioning process, Development
Yes,
53rd
Street is active again--with hope of being done well. Ald.
Preckwinkle, 53rd TIF, several partnering community organizations
including HPKCC, Chicago Dept. of planning, and CMAP regional planning
agency have held two Vision Workshops (Dec. 8 2007 and May
3 2008), with plans for a block-building exercise
Nov. 15. Results of the Dec. 8 meeting is on line at http://www.vision53.org.
See notes
and views from the May 3 Workshop, incl. links to see 53rd evaluation
pictures. Report on the May
12 TIF meeting, and our reports on the Dec. 8 meeting in 53rd
Street page (link at start) and final in Dec.
8 2007 page. The Development
Navigator will lead you to more pages and links.
To May
3 reports page. See pictures taken
by workshop with comments at http://www.flickr.com/photos/26852843@N07/
The Leal L3 Proposed Plan Development for 53rd
and Cornell
The
original plan has been modified to 20 stories, retail and rental housing
with 15% affordable units onsite. Close q and a were held at the May
12 TIF meeting. Details in the 53rd
Leal page.
Harper Theater: The University announced in May
a setback and termination of the developer
There
has been disagreement over causes, but any version points to difficulties
attracting quality businesses and some disagreement of lack of clarity
over what the community and owner want for the business district.
The University is considering its options. Theater
buildings project page. Background
on the theater, prospect for theaters.
Doctors (Illinois Central) Hospital Hotel Plans; in
other development news
The
University said in April that no decisions have been made. Alderman
Hairston had rejected the original UC/White Lodging concept after
presentation of an alternative plan by a preservation architect J.
G. Johnson engaged by Landmarks Illinois and Hyde Park Historical
Society. There was no response and not yet a decision on plan or siting
by White Lodging. Ald. Hairston has met with White and is considering
pros and cons of landmarking. Word persists that demolition will be
recommended by the University to Ald. Hairston. Read Doctors
Hospital page.
Other
development news (see list of all that's in play in Development
Committee page.)
Fifth/Third
bank has been selected to fill the Osco site on 53rd between Dorchester
and Kenwood. The builder's spokesperson says the project to increase
minority ownership and training is in accord with the community vision
of the Urban League and Alderman. Whether it is in accord with a general
vision for 53rd retail redevelopment will be seen. The
bank should open in September.
Elsewhere
(see
Development
details page): A large high-rise is being pushed in Indian
Village despite opposition; St. Stephens development (5600 bl. Blackstone)
seems on track provided it sells. Giordano's Pizza and Restaurant
at Blackstone south of 53rd will preserve its facade, remodel
and add a floor.
The University has bought Chicago Theological Seminary and
will build/facilitate a new structure for it at Dorchester north of
61st (community garden) and one for Meadville School south of 61st
Street. CTS's current building will house a new economic
interdisciplinary and policy institute named for Milton Friedman.
Co-op Bookstore will stay at least until the new building is complete.
The University is expected to buy nearby Meadville School for unknown
purpose, and has converted 5710 Woodlawn into a state of the art center
for minority and specialty life. The University is also moving ahead
on a mostly underground library addition and a $700
million modern Raphael Vinoly-designed hospital complex
for the south side of 57th St. between Drexel and Cottage Grove. .
For University statements see our University
Projects and University
and Community pages.)
University
assumption of operations of Quadrangle Club (as Sustaining Member
with power to select a new board and management company) are proceeding.
The
University promises major investment, is in process with employees
who vote on a union May 27, and is reported to be considering future
bundling of the tennis court and 5731 University for a new structure
(which would likely spell the end of a future historic district).
See Quadrangle
Club page.
Our Development
Navigator will lead you to more pages and links.
New
Park Advisory Council Guidelines
New
council guidelines were proposed by the Park District. Councils allowed
to review the original draft found them unacceptable. Councils met
with the District April 4 and found substantial agreement
and a collaborative process.
Revised guidelines to be reviewed jointly soon reflect these
improvements. There will be tightening up and more work,
but the relationship between CPD and these community-based, mostly
elected small organizations will be preserved and go forward. Stories
and HPKCC letter to the park district- see Park
Issues page. For a vexing problem area, see the Kenwood
Park and Council page.
Kenwood Park Advisory
Council
Over
100 residents turned out for a meeting on ball park size, use, schedules
at Kenwood Community Park January 9. Alderman Preckwinkle announced
and supported a resolution by baseball, soccer, and the Park District
that all parties recognized as inevitably sub-optimum in a park with
high demand for usage. Many residents objected (and continue) on grounds
of excusive uses and stress to the park, users, and area, as well
as because of process. All praise the work of the sports teams in
providing kids life and physical skills and alternatives to the streets.
The
Advisory Council, along with other councils, will hold new elections
in coming months. This is complicated because the bylaws of this council,
which have attendance requirements for voting (something like 4th
meeting within last 12), is suspended, and there is mutual suspicion
that attempts will be made to pack the first/elections meeting.
This
website has maintained an informal running page on Kenwood
Park Advisory Council and Park for at least 8 years. Petition
drives on the expansion issue are heating up. Park district spokespersons
have said the council has not been decertified in any manner despite
dispute over paperwork and is not being singled out; there have been
other expressions that it was. The Conference takes any attempts to
manipulate or control councils, as well as inconsistent Park District
procedures, most seriously and has also weighed in on the question
of appropriate guidelines for councils and proper park district interaction
with councils and communities. It has not taken a position on the
council's standing or the dispute over the ball field expansion, but
Conference president will head one of several open Kenwood Park committees
set up by Alderman Preckwinkle with approval of KPAC members and the
Conference board.
The Uses Committee convened by Alderman Preckwinkle meets
again Wednesday, July 30 (prov), 7 pm, Hyde Park 4th floor conference
room. Contact: George Rumsey,
chair. To Usage
Committee reports. More on this in the Advisory
Council page.
Olympics
HPKCC,
others in neighborhoods around the proposed Olympic stadium in Washington
Park, as well as Jackson Park Advisory Council have met with the 2016
Olympic Committee. A small HPKCC delegation met with the Park District
August 21 2007. Stressed was many neighbors' opposition or serious
questions and need to go the communities, including the "must"
of infrastructure upgrade. Read
about Olympics in our area, viewpoints, and our meeting. See Chicago2016's
recent Applicant Bid at http://www.Chicago2016.com/.
See HPKCC's
submitted questions and concerns. So far only a few organizations
(such as the Urban League) schools (e.g. DePaul) and foundations have
come forward to conduct or fund research and assistance for impacted
neighborhoods.
Ald.
Hairston is restarting conversation and forming subject committees-
The whole convenes 4th Thursdays, 6:30 Jackson Park Fieldhouse. June
26 next features a presentation by Chicago2016 and topic discussions.
Details in Olympics
page. April 24 meeting saw serious concerns about impacts and restoration
(esp. since post Dan Ryan repairs to Stony Island were rescinded:
Ald. Hairston said "Somebody is making these decisions
who is not our neighbor,... I'm cautious when people from
outside the community come in and tell me what the use is." Yet
there are increasing efforts to band together, research and engage.
Another
question for Jackson Park is the proposed sports dome for 63rd and
Cornell in Jackson Park. See special
page.
Promontory
Point
Design
study funds with preservation standard mandated authorization
was enacted into law and design may start late summer or thereafter.
Latest
Details. See Scope
of Work for Preservation-based independent review. Read past HPKCC
thoughts, letters and reports on the Point.
Promontory
Point, swimming at ticketing
The
annual pattern has resumed, of police randomly ticketing those following
the hallowed tradition, seldom with problems,) of swimming off the
Point, which, granted, is not an authorized, guarded swimming area.
According to the person ticketed and witnesses, in the June 27 incident
police were also disrespectful and conducted an intrusive search.
The July 2 Herald editorial suggests invoking an aldermanic privilege:
polices and procedures could be negotiated and, "if there is
an obstacle- person or policy, we should be told exactly what it is
and how to correct it.. and end what has become a tiresome and absurd
abuse of solid, law-abiding citizens."
Vandalism in the Parks, other park touchstones
A
sad event for parks and nature was the vandalism and cut-down of 15
trees in the Burnham Nature Sanctuary at 5000 and Metra. See in Burnham
Nature Sanctuary page. In addition there are the usual spring-summer
problems in our parks with park-unfriendly or rowdy behavior and trash.
In
other park touchstones, the Jackson Park Wooded Island Working group
of stakeholders is back on course restoring biodiversity, bird friendliness,
historic template, and enjoyability. Archeologists are surveying footprints
of the Columbian Exposition. The Washington Park Conservancy is going
full force restoring and tending natural and other areas of the park.
But Jackson has to decide on an added sportsdome facility.
Neighborhood Groceries
Treasure
Island is now open in the former Co-op space, in the Hyde Park Shopping
Center, 1526 E. 53rd. St. Co-Op space lease signed
with Treasure Island. (We are turning a new page with the neighborhood:
visit our new page on Treasure
Island, Hyde Park Produce, and the other grocers in Hyde Park,
including a full list of grocery options in the immediate era.
Coalition for Equitable Community Development
Kickoff
Meeting was held February 20, next meeting May 14. Contact Pat
Wilcoxen 773 643-7495 or find their website at www.iocillinois.org/.
Coverage.) Elected to the Board were
Lenora Austin, Rashon Clark-Morris, Winston Kennedy, Allison Hartman,
John Murphy, George Rumsey, Linda Thisted, Vicky Suchovsky, Pat Wilcoxen.
The board and committees have a lot of work to do. There will be another
membership meeting in the spring. Working Committees: Affordable
Housing Advocacy, Research, Fundraising, and Membership Recruitment.
Coalition
Steering Committee information
and reports page. Affordability
in Hyde Park homepage. New website: hpkcoalition.org.
Next meeting June 16, Monday, 7 pm at the Neighborhood Club.
Disabilities concerns continue; Seniors perspectives,
emerging concerns on the social and health front
Saving
a key community asset, Hyde Park Neighborhood Club. The June 25 Herald
carries article and editorial on the reinvention of and need to support
the Hyde Park Neighborhood Club. The
Herald compares the potential current role of the club to institutions
Hyde Parkers have invented in the past during times of difficulty
or opportunity. Visit our News
from Collaborers page and the Club's
site.
Hyde
Park Older Women's League, which is focusing on how to make
Hyde Park a more seniors-friendly community, met in forum with board
members, the interim director, and friends of Hyde Park Neighborhood
Club at the Club May 3 to brainstorm on ways to improve senior-friendliness
in general, and how the Club can serve seniors' needs. The energy
was strong, and the conversation, and it's hoped action, will continue.
The Club is under financial strain but determined to be truly "a
place for everyone." Next OWL meeting Sat. July 6, 1 pm, First
Unitarian Moore Parlor.
A
Hyde Park Task Force for Persons with Disabilities and Their Rights
continue
to monitor and as necessary take steps to encourage, for example public
(i.e. bicycles) and business (i.e. doors, service animals) compliance
and respect and infrastructure (incl. sidewalks, signals) upgrades.
View new Federal Rules at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/freedominitiative/freedominitiative.html.
A
renewal and reorganization are underway and appeal for support at
Hyde Park Neighborhood Club. See
in News from Collaborators
in the Community.
At
the same time there is growing concern in the community and in HPKCC
about apparent erosion of primary health care available in the neighborhood
and at University of Chicago Hospitals. Visit
www.hydeparkprogress.blogspot.com/
and http://alwaysintransit.typepad.com/hyde_park_urbanist/
At our schools
Murray
and Canter select principals (nearly completing a turnover over the
past three years). Ray and other schools push desperately needed improvements,
programs. Local school councils work with varying success. HPKCC Schools
Committee is a support base for lscs and schools, including with network
actions and getting out the database of afterschool and other resources.
Visit Schools,
About the
Schools Committee, News
of Schools, Education
Resources.
Parking
and Transit
Bus
Tracker is starting to come to local routes (see CTA
page);#173 set to become more-hour, 2-way express between
campus and downtown (See UC
Routes);Olympic committee and service providers, IDOT
pressed on needs, inconveniences at Ald. Hairston's Olympic forum.
Transit
and mobility issues are always prominent on our radar and to other
organizations such as East Hyde Park Action Committee. (Visit
Transit homepage). A funding law that gives stability for at least
a few years was enacted. Now Mayor Daley has opened the next essential
step- repair and upgrade (esp. if the Olympic bid is won). But it
depends on the state passing a capital infrastructure and on federal
help. We also always seek upgrades in mobility and transit, especially
if it helps disabled persons and seniors. And the University is taking
a major step (at least those on or who can get to campus) by remaking
the #173 route (assuming UC funding is granted).
HPKCC
(hpkcc@aol.com) would like to hear
your viable ideas, as would your alderman. Our Transit Task Force
next meets May 29 (tent). Visit its page.
Community and student attendees spoke in favor of keeping the
#171 stop on the south side of University at 57th at an April 9 meeting,
and it stays. Making the neighborhood and business district
ped and bike friendly and truly inter modal, perhaps including trolley
or call-van service have come up time and again in public meetings.
Parking woes and pros and cons are always on the agenda,
and good suggestions being made by residents.
Public Safety
Burglaries
were down significantly in South Kenwood in 2006, due in large part
to a new task force that broke pattern burglaries and to collaboration
with UC Police. Robberies are the next focus. Read about it in the
Latest
Patterns page. Although Hyde Park-Kenwood are safer than most
Chicago communities, one must be vigilant against both singular incident
and pattern occurrences. The neighborhood was sorrowed last fall by
the first shooting death of a U of C student in 30 years. Should we
not be as outraged by a murder of a man at 48th and Drexel, finding
of a Hyde Park boy in a trash can in Englewood, and gunfire injury
in the 4500 block of Drexel? Three were arrested for a pattern of
activities and harassment behind the BP on Lake Park. There are localized
(but spreading?) pockets of drug and gathering/harassing activities
in the neighborhood--but order for the community and its organizations
to help neighbors and police, those seeing something have to DO their
part. Visit Public
Safety, Latest
patterns, and CAPS
News and tips.
Congratulations to recent 21st and 2nd District Cmdr's. Howard Lodding
and Lynette Helm upon promotion; welcome to new 21st Commander John
Doty and new commanders for the 2nd and 3rd Districts.
In
May 2008 President Zimmer announced campus safety initiatives. Following
recommendations of a Campus and Security Committee and an outside
consultant convened after a murder in 2007, recommendations include
a new shuttle bus system, walking escort service, daily crime report
posting including a safety website, cameras and lighting, changes
to the UC Police, better safety education and outreach. Changes will
be implemented gradually and be modified as new dorms, facilities,
etc. come on line.
General notices
and alerts
Counterfeit
twenties are being circulated! There is an inexpensive pen device
that may at least make the passers pass you by or make it less likely
you will be caught with the bad buck. But good frauds are hard to
spot.
Watch
for construction on streets, parkways and sidewalks.
Sewer
lines expected to be renewed in 2008-2009 include Everett 55-56, 56th
Hyde Park Blvd. to Everrett, 52nd Cottage-Drexel, Drexel HPB-53rd.
Work is also in progress on 47th under the viaduct, on Cottage Grove
and on Stony Island 580-5900 blocks.
New
murals, replacing those whited out and under Chicago Public Art Group
and 4th Ward, are in progress after a competition.
Picnicking
in parks? follow a few simple rules when grilling in a park.
Did you know dumping hot coals on tree trunk bases kills or damages
the tree? Don't forget to clean up your area by placing garbage in
the green bins and recyclable materials in the blue bins.
Farmers
Markets in full swing-- Harper Court, Thursdays; 61st, Bronzeville,
South Shore, Saturdays; South Chicago at Gary Comer Center , Sats.
and Suns.
Welcome
to new problem-solving organizations East Hyde Park Action Committee
(EHPAComm@yahoo.com, see our
East Hyde Park page) and Coalition for Equitable Community Development
(http://www.iocillinois.org/CECD),
see our CECD
page.
|
|
Hyde
Park-Kenwood Community Conference |
|
Contact
us at hpkcc@aol.com
or
(773)
288-8343.
(Note: the office is staffed only
part time- for messages
use
773-955-4455).
The Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference
(a 501(c)3)
publishes a quarterly Reporter for members and friends,
and maintains hydepark.org. Its board meets monthly and busy
committees meet regularly. Visit the HPKCC
portals, below.
All
meetings are open to the public.
The
purpose of the Conference is to attend to the civic needs of the community;
work toward an attractive, secure, diverse, and caring community; and
to promote participation of residents, businesses, institutions, and
organizations in programs and activities that advance the interests
and concerns of the community. It serves the community as a watchdog,
independent voice, and clearing house in the community's ongoing conversation
and decisions about those matters which affect and define community
life.
|
*****The
next meeting of the Board is indeed on August 7, 7 pm, 1525 E.
53rd 4th floor.
Hyde
Park-Kenwood Community Conference
President George W. Rumsey,
Vice Presidents George Davis, Gary Ossewaarde
Secretary Trish Morse
Treasurer Irene Freelain
Our
key project at the moment is the collaborative Community impacting Harper
Court and general neighborhood development conditions and priorities.
Watch
for our next forum.
Committee
meetings:
Envir. Sustain. July 25, 6 pm, Hyde Park Bank suite 907, 1525 E. 55th
St.
Schools July 30, 7 pm 1448 E. 53rd.
We
will be doing the Columbus Weekend Hyde Park Book Sale this year. Contact
Jane Ciacci at kjc2@uchicago.edu.
HPKCC
home: Board and Officers, Recent board actions, reports, information,
about
Read
most recently elected board member bios.
Get your Reporter by first class mail by joining the Conference.
View the March 2008 Reporter. Harper,
Garden Fair, Parks, Schools...
December 2007 Reporter. Features include forums with Eli Ungar
and on condo association finances, reports from the board and our schools,
parks, Gardens and Development committees
View the August
2007 Reporter.
Find features
in their topic contexts.
April
2007 Reporter issue: Read
it all in typed text or find out what's inside and where
in this site features can be read.
VIEW 2007
ISSUE 3 Dec. 2007 in typed text.
Finding features in March 2008 Reporter
(or any recent issue)
HPKCC News
page. Membership
Form. History. Our action committees and task forces are moving ahead, and
new ones are emerging. Here are what some have been doing. Read also
reports on Harper
Court and future of the Co-op.
The Conference continues to be a choice source-to-cite in media
about directions and what's of significance in Hyde Park.
Our current major thrust is ensuring community wide input in the Harper
Court RFP and 53rd planning, working with the TIF and a broad community
coalition.
See our White Paper of findings from
"What's Right, What's Wrong about Hyde Park?" in the "What's
Right.." page. Watch for coming forum on retail for the neighborhood.
October 16 our Development-Preservation-Zoning committee held
a forum with Eli Ungar of Antheus Capital/MAC Properties- over 110 attended
with lots of questions. (Mr. Ungar will appear at a follow-up.)This
is one of an ongoing series of community forums that will include owner
association mortgages (see Condos below), co
sponsorship of a meeting on equitable and responsible housing development--we
are a founding member and active participant in the new coalition.
Public
safety and civility challenges. Views
from the Conference. Visit our pages on Crime,
Public
Safety and Business
and Teens. Learn about our
WhistleSTOP program, where to get whistles-get involved in the new
community safety action program. Printable flyer.
The Schools
Committee is engaging with local school councils and working
to increase resident participation and ownership in our schools. See
Schools Committee
page. Find out how to engage with the new Academic
Games League partnered with U of C Service Center.
See
report on our forum/assembly March 28, "After school Matters
in Hyde Park, " including presenters' contacts.
Many providers and an Assets Based modeler presented thoughts and facts
on what's available to our kids as constructive options that will give
them the experiences and assets they will need as adults. We continue
to finalize a Youth Programs Database for distribution and have held
a workshop on applying for block grants. A
Larger list of afterschool and enrichment providers is
online and ever in progress.
Newly up: visit the HPKCC
Youth Programs Database: Alt.
Access portal.
Contact Nancy Baum. nbbaum@sbcglobal.net.
Join us at our next meeting June 30, Monday, 7 pm at United Church,
1448 E. 53rd Blackstone entry. |
| HPKCC
Programs and News |
 |
Considerations
on affordability. Read
resolution and report from the May 19 2007 forum; About
the forming organization. City set-aside
ordinance. Apr.
'06 forum.
HPKCC is a founding member of the new Coalition for Equitable
Community Development. |
 |
The
Chicago Academic Games League [CAGL] is a teacher/parent collaboration,
a program merging substantive math with athletic models of teams, games,
and tournaments. Each year, from October through April, students and teachers
from (2008 8) Chicago public schools around the city meet once each month
for a Saturday tournament. Schools are self selecting; teachers and parents
are volunteers; students participate of their own volition - not for grades
or credit. The program is geared to grades 5 through 8, and the core of
the games is pre-algebra. The
program is now managed by the University Community Service Center,
with c. 8 schools involved and growing. Contact Wallace
Goode. |
 |
 Condos
and Coops Governance Issues forums.
Seminars
offered with Atty. John H. Bickley III of
Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit. Watch for future in winter or spring 2008.
Watch for the next. Report on that of November 6 2007 pending
in Condos/Co-ops
page.
Since
you need to know: High-rise
Life-Safety Ordinance. New Zoning
Ordinance |
 |
 The
HPKCC Development, Preservation, Zoning Committee monitors and seeks
proactive community input in general and localized development. The
committee reported on the Harper
Court Web Survey at the May 12 TIF meeting and is submitting changes
to the Harper RFP guidelines.
Committee
page with What's in Play and at stake.
Harper
Court to be sold? HPKCC
positions. Ideas.
Co-op
Business Climate
Development
and related Public Policy issues (navigator to pages)
Developing Neighborhood
Goals. TIF News.
Hyde
Park (Harper) Theater- See RFP guidelines, as well as the
decision.
Future
Plans: Heating up with condo, high rise plans
Development
home.
Several new developments coming
to 53rd, north.
See also Developments-details
and analysis
Antheus
Doctors Hospital
53rd Mobil and Cornell
projects
56th Cornell
See also the Antheus/MAC
page.
Village Center
Shoreland plans
U of C South Campus
Plan
UC long range plans
Lake Park, Metra
embankments, viaducts /murals: Streetscape Committee questions plans.
City Council watch:
Substitute high-rise sprinkler ordinance passed for commercial buildings
only. Placed on "hold" by Ald. Hairston, others until reasonable
implementation can be worked out. Meanwhile, all eyes on taxes--15%
city alone seems off the table, but....
Developments
eyed, and dropped. Harper
Theater
decision, reports. Report
on the July 9 TIF meeting. On immediate watch:
Drs Hospital, 53rd Mobil, Harper Court, Co-Op and more. |
 |
The
Hyde Park Disabilities
Task Force will meet remains busy on several fronts.
A multi-organization initiative. Its
Business Information Packet. Join: George
Rumsey. Contact hpdisabilities@aol.com |
 |
Our
newest committee is Sustainable Environment Task Force. To
get involved contact Vicki Suchovsky.
Committee page. Next meeting Friday, July 25, 6
pm, Hyde Park Bank ste. 907, 1525 E. 53rd St.
The task force welcomes the launching of Partners for a Sustainable Chicago
by UC's Civic Knowledge Project. SEEKING NEW MEMBERS. New committee chair,
Vicki Suchovsky. Projects in the works: Setting up
Low Carb Diet neighbor teams, setting up mission, goals, actions and partnerships,
and an introduction and action forum on the City's upcoming Sustainable
City Agenda plan. |
 |
More
information, reports on trends in our community: HPKCC's forum October
2006: "The Future of the Co-Op."
What's
Right/Wrong with Hyde Park HPKCC 2005 forum. |
 |
Fall Fair September 20 Visit the Garden
Fair website for details. |
 |
 Dedication
of the Gym (with pics) April 3, 2004
About Bird of Peace and its March 19 2005 rededication. More at cosmosegg@ameritech.net.
The Plaza Paved-what NPAC asked and got. Beds as under constr.
2005
4th on 53rd pics. Past4th on 53rd pics.
Report, pics on U of C service day- Nichols 9/23
Next
NPAC meeting Thursday, May 8, 7 pm-Nichols Park Fieldhouse, with
Park District.. Next workday in Meadow or formal garden is ...
Fall programs are full! and such a bargain!
|
 |
 Parks
section home. Parks
Committee. Jackson
Park Website
Visit Park Issues.
Chicago's bid for the 2016 Olympics
is a matter of major neighborhood concern.
Kenwood Park
controversy.
New: Rebuilding our parks. Report
in December 2007 Reporter
Visit
Recreation Resources.
Green resources.
Some
of what was asked by
parks and users at the preliminary hearings. Park District site link
to dates: http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/events.results/object_id/67ef5802-3f67-405e-aaaa-59c9b1aae989.cfm
Proposed
standards for park councils is highly unacceptable to several councils.
HPKCC suggested reasons for returning to the 2000 advisory guidelines
in its response to reply of CPD to letter on dealings with councils
re Kenwood Park. April 4, Councils met with the Park District and agreed
to form a joint committee on guidelines, including bylaws.
The
committee and HPKCC are very concerned about the future of Kenwood Council
and
agreed to chair one of several committees on topics of this council
and disputes including park use.
The Parks
Committee's letter
on the Olympics. More
info and views, positions staked out. Jackson Park hears from the Chicago
2016 Committee Sept. 10, 7:30, 6401 S. Stony Is. Public invited.
Park
volunteer workdays have started again. Burnham:
1st Sat mornings (but call because of conflicts-gw.davis@ezi.net).
Jackson 2nd and 4th Sat through November 10 am-1 pm
from Darrow Bridge- 773 486-0505. Washington 1st and
3rd Sats (plus 26th Arbor Day) and including April 19 Earth Day) 9-noon-
, 773 203-3418. Nichols May 10 3-6 pm.
Park
council and aldermanic area requests
for area
parks for 2007 and where to see the budget.
Park
Advisory Councils (meeting
schedule in Parks)
HPKCC-hosted website, services: JPAC/Jackson
Park, Burnham
Sanctuary. |
 |
Preservation
groups form in HP. Landmark
district under active discussion. Ways to apply for
national register and city designation, tax advantages.
Frequently asked questions
 Plans
for Doctors Hospital redevelopment at 5800
S. Stony Island proved to be controversial. Read about it in Doctors
Hospital page- plans, reactions, July 23 meeting reports, and expressions
of community concerns and an alternative plan.
There
might well be a Hyde
Park historic district. Block discussions
with Ald. Hairston and the city show substantial support. Take
this website's poll.
Doctors
Hospital. Giordano's in Preservation Beat.
Fountain
of Time Basin Committee seeks more funds. Greenwood
Row Houses and 63rd
Bathing Pavilion granted landmarks designation December,
2004.
Narraganset
wins state National Registry approval. HPHS Pres. Comm. nominated
10 local sites for landmarking.
Don't
miss Trish Morse's virtual
tour of the Midway Plaisance and
adjoining UC buildings, then and now.
Learn
about Robie House restoration
project.
See
our history, preservation pages for latest happenings and significance. Preservation
Beat, Preservation
Hot Topics
Urban Renewal and
Timelines. |
 |
 HPKCC
Youth Programs Database is at http://www.hydepark.org/schools
(Alt.
link). Download and share this database about afterschool and other
activities and opportunities. This was a major project of HPKCC Schools
Committee.
About,
including printable pdf brochure. We also maintain a larger, topical
and continuously-updated resource base in Afterschool.
See links to local schools
scores and rankings (Illinois Report Card site).
“The mission of the Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference Schools
Committee is to provide community support for the schools and to provide
a place where Local School Council members can get together to share
information.”
HPKCC
Schools
Committee (home page for all our schools and education pages). Read
Reports including on the recent public forum on the State of
the Schools in Hyde Park and Kenwood and of Committee initiatives. Schools
Committee meets as announced.
Next June 16, Monday, 7 pm. at United Church, 1448 E. 53rd (Blackstone
entry). Our agenda will include, among other items, planning
a Fall networking dinner for school principals and LSC chairs; planning
a Spring forum for the Hyde Park community on what is happening in our
schools; working with the 4th Ward Alderman Preckwinkle's and State
Rep. Currie's offices on distribution of the parents' guides to after-school
activities; and including the list on local school web sites.
We are seeking new members for our committee.
Read
about our LSC Recognition dinner in the Schools Committee page.
Please:
download or print and give wide dissemination to the HPKCC
Youth Program Database. Visit our larger, continuously updated After
School Programs database.
|
 |
 TTF:
The HPKCC Transit and Mobility Task Force. Visit
the Task
Force homepage and its Transit
web pages.
Next TTF meeting will be announced soon.
TIF
Parking Committee bus. distr. recommendations, including a Transportation
Enhancement (parking) district. |
 |
Hyde
Park Co-op Used Book Sale. Thanks to all
for a great sale, managed this year (October 6-8) by HPKCC as a fund-raiser
for our programs. See our thanks and summary in the page . |
 |
Learn
about HPKCC's WhistleSTOP
and community safety action program. Visit also HPKCC's concerns
and actions in Community
Safety. Tips for staying safe and emergency contacts
are in Public
Safety and CAPS
beat. Pick up your whistle at our desk at Treasure Island
2nd Sats. 11-2. $2.
Latest
Crime/Robberies:
2006 had the lowest incidence of violent crime in recent and
many years and well below citywide average. 21st District had
largest drop in violent crimes for 2007 1st 7 months: 22%. There
are still brazen strong-arm robberies and murders, incidents of teens
against adults, and at times increased burglaries. Alerts issued to
people walking alone on any of various streets through the neighborhood.
On the shooting death of Amadou Cisse and UC security upgrade, see our
Safety
Latest and Robberies page. For a list of University and other resources
and how to be on the University's alert systems visit our Public
Safety page. |
| |
| Other
Neighborhood Partners |
|
Blackstone
Branch Library:
Programs
(CPL).
Friends of Blackstone
Library meet first Wednesdays, 6 pm- call Dina Weinstein 773 643-6045.
Help with globe restoration. 4904 S. Lake Park.
Kids' and book clubs, author programs, joint with Hyde Park Art Center
too. Library 312 474-0511.
Celebrating 100! Support the Friends:
Buy a T-Shirt!
Coalition
for Equitable Community Development. See
above.
Partnering
for a Sustainable Chicago (Civic Knowledge Project)
South
Side Arts and Humanities Network (Civic Knowledge Project)
Disabilities
Task Force (multi-organization and officials)
Friends
of Blackstone helps the 57th St. Children's Book Fair September
16 and the Co-op Used Book Sale in October.
Blue
Gargoyle:
More about this growing service provider. New home,
5638 S. Woodlawn. Due to the uncertainties of government funding,
the Gargoyle is raising $575,o00 over 3 years. Volunteer tutors always
needed. Congratulations on selecting new Executive
Director Pamela Bozeman-Evans.
Hyde
Park Historical Society: At
and about HPHS.
Now on display following a wonderful presentation and tour March 1:
"Evolution of Hyde Park Center" with photographs by David
Schalliol, part of a major documentation of the oldest, most "renewed"
and least appreciated part of Hyde Park. www.http://www.hydeparkhistory.org.
Hyde Park Neighborhood Club:
New programs (773) 743-4062. Includes U C Service League Games Day (1st
Weds 9:30-11:30 am). The Club is seeking financial help to defray unexpected
costs while keeping momentum going. Our Neighborhood Club material is
in the NC Programs
page and in News
from Collaborers- see in the latter Herald call for support.
Visit their
website for full schedule and descriptions.
The Club is now enraged in a critical fundraising
drive so it can serve families, youth, and seniors into the next century.
Contact Jennifer Bosch or Karen Freeman at 773 643-4062 or http://www.hpnclub.org.
Ward
meetings: 4th on 4th Saturdays- call 773 536-8103. 5th Ward meeting
on 4th Tuesdays- call 773 324-5555. 20th 2nd Saturdays call 773 955-5610.
All have special late hours for advice and services. Call their offices.
More
about our many co-laborers in the community and visit our
Community
Resources, Good
Neighbors, Help
Line, and Neighborhood
Nonprofits pages. |
|
| Won't
you join us and participate in our programs? Fill out the Membership
|
