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A service of the Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference and its website, www.hydepark.org. Compiler Gary Ossewaarde
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Visit next News In Depth page for what's long time sizzling, simmering or lurking in the background. The following items here are not in alpha or "importance" order.
Following the bulleted items is our News navigator to subject and topic pages that explore and update what's in the news or analyze news topics in relationship and perspective.
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Send to us at hpkcc@aol.com. Visit Neighborhood Links for the lively blog scene- newest Hyde Park News Blog, (note that this is in an unstable web domain) http://hydeparknews.co.cc, send to tips@hydeparknews.co.cc.

2. Reports on Harper Court Area updates:

In a letter of July 2008 to the Hyde Park Historical Society and Landmarks Illinois, White Lodging rejected their alternative plan, although not necessarily all possibility of compromise. Both sides have strongly stated reasons for their positions and Alderman Hairston holds her options open pending the August 5 meeting.

Crime, cleanup, standing water and tree trimming dominate 5th Ward meeting in June 08; Lakefront Task Force gives praise.

Organizations and residents seek to speed along consideration of best redevelopment for 53rd St. and Harper Court- HPKCC, others and TIF work to ensure open process.
Irene Sherr writes:

Harper Court: Alderman Preckwinkle announced at the May 12, 2008 53rd St. TIF meeting that the University of Chicago had purchased Harper Court. On behalf of the University, Chicago Consultants Studio, Inc. provided an Overview of Redevelopment Objectives for Harper Court. This document is available at http://www.vision53.org/12.html

Public Comment: Alderman Preckwinkle, the University of Chicago and the City of Chicago welcome your comments on the proposed objectives. All comments must be received by Chicago Consultants Studio ccs@ccstudioinc.com by June 30, 2008

53rd St. Vision Workshop Part II –Upload[ed] photos are available from http://picasaweb.google.com/Community.Counsel.

Release:The Planning and Development Committee of the 53rd Street Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District Advisory Council will meet May 27 to discus initial guidelines set out to shepherd drafting the request for proposals (RFP) for Harper Court.

A document outlining the principles and ideas guiding the drafting of a RFP for Harper Court is currently in a 30-day comment period. The comment period ends June 12. The guidelines are available online at vision53.org/12.html.

The University of Chicago announced at the May 12 TIF council meeting that they had purchased the property for $6.5 million from the Harper Court Arts council and were looking to the community to help guide redevelopment of the property.

The committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S. Cornell. The committee is chaired by Chuck Thurow, a member of the TIF council and executive director of the Hyde Park Art Center.

Watch also in http://www.vision53.org -the TIF based Irene Sherr site- equals http://www.hydeparkchicago.org/3.html (SECC website)
Direct to vote tallies, in this site. Or visit http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=po-CusQhQ1-YNafbkWI3ibg&hl=en&pli=14)
Contact Jay Mulberry or sign up in googlegroups for 53rdStreetFuture@googlegroups.com (was harpercourt@googlegroups.com) the site of the 53rd Street Future Partners- offshoot of HPKCC Development committee and others. For blogs and listserves see in Neighborhood Links.

To Principles of the 2004 Zoning Ordinance:
http://www.duncanplan.com/pdfs_all/chicago_zoning_principles.pdf


Full agenda at July 14 TIF meeting:
 included were update and critique on Harper Court Area RFP, retail student survey, report, and introduction of Antheus Capital's redevelopment plans for Village Center at E. Hyde Park Blvd. and Lake Park Ave.

News: the draft city call on proposed Olympic Village (dr. Ald. Preckwinkle) calls for 20 percent affordable, with some advocates call insufficient in light of expected impact on housing prices and costs on the South Side.
Grey City Journal (by Maroon) had a discerning overview on potential impacts of Olympics. Next 5th Ward mtg. on Olympics July 24.

June 2008 5th Ward meeting dominated by concerns with crime, notices of trash pickup, focus on standing water, tree trimming.

At the June 25 5th Ward meeting, residents wanted action on crime, riled by the citywide and especially mid South surge this summer. They were reminded how important it is to engage with CAPs and to call-- and call-- and call when they see disturbing actions or the police do not seem to be responding. Only if matters are documented can the alderman go over police heads when action is not being taken. A testy issue was whether there is disproportionate crime from "Section 8", which the Alderman said is not born up by statistics. In fact, the Ald. said, the real concentrations are in the buildings of a few landords who look the other way.

Streets and Sanitation are doing bulk pickup in July and August for block clubs or other groups who so request. Call the Ward office at 773 324-5555. 5th Ward has a window of focused concentration from Streets and San (Water Management?) on chronic locations of standing water. The city is also trimming trees and fixing street lights---again, call the Ward Office to coordinate.

Related: Tree replacement following heavy storm damage of the past few years has started in parks, including Promontory Annex (north of 55th west of the Drive)

July's was dominated by crime in South Shore, ticketing of swimmers at the Point, concern over foreclosures (up but not a crisis in our part of mid-South) and losses of primary health care services in Hyde Park. Announced was a likely city vacant building ordinance, a sweep and tow program for Everett north of 56th to get parked cars out of the way, a gun turn in programs for July 20, and a bulk trash pickups (for entire blocks, not individual residences.)

Lakefront Task Force for Hyde Park leader SharonJoy Jackson wrote the Herald July 9, 2008 praising the park district and is managers for responsiveness and for starting tree and shrub replacement in Promontory Park Annex area.



Potentially explosive were proposed revised standards for the park advisory councils WERE SUBSTANTIALLY REVISED. The task force of councils and Park District will meet in July re further revisions. Visit in Park Issues page. Leaders of select councils met with the Park District April 4 and reached substantial agreement and understanding, but is seems not without having to enlist the media. Stay tuned.

It's street cleaning season again. 4th, 5th and other wards are trying out color coded signs so people will be aware enough to avoid tickets and enable cleaning to proceed.

April 24 in Jackson Park fieldhouse, over 40 savvy residents of Hyde Park, Woodlawn and South Shore, including stakeholder representatives, met in Jackson Park Fieldhouse to ask many questions and give ideas to Gyata Kimmons of Chicago 2016 and Alderman Hairston. It appeared to be just sinking in how complex the issues and enormous the impacts will be. Next is May 22 on transportation and transit issues.

For report on the Kenwood Park meeting April 24 2008 see the Kenwood page. Matters appear on the mend.

Commander Doty modifiying robbery, other strategies in 21st District. Doty took over in March. His predecessor expanded the burglary-robbery team; Doty disbursed them into other frontline units but is developing a training program for much of his force in conjunction with Area One on eveidned handling, phot arrays, interview an debriefings. He is focused on reducing the robberies. At the same time, he is charged with addressing the teen violence-(no deaths so far in the district, but teens have been shot, including one at 52nd and Blackstone). Crime levels do continue to decline in the district including Hyde Park and the University (for example dwon 11. 4 Jan-Mar 2008 over the previous year. But Doty is focusing on schools and after school times, reving up CAPS and getting guns off the streets. "Awareness is the best deterent there is," he told the Herald.

November 18/19 a three pronged crime spree in Woodlawn and Hyde Park left a graduate student dead. The University community staged a vigil at which many showed their anger as well as grief. President Zimmer announced some security improvements and security seminars are scheduled. The perpetrators were arrested.

Alderman Hairston rejected the original White Lodging- U of C hotel plan for Doctors Hospital after a presentation of an alternative by a preservation architect engaged by Landmarks Illinois and Hyde Park Historical Society. The plan is now at a standstill, according to Hairston; the University and White lodging will doubtless take time to make a decision. See Doctors Hospital page.

A new Coalition for Sustainable Housing in Hyde Park will hold an inaugural meeting with experts, open to the public, December 5, Wednesday 7 pm at the Neighborhood Club.

Dr. Wax was helped by the University to gain a lease across from Harper Court, in the old Pet space at 5210 S. Harper. The many petition-signers helped.

Members of the Kenwood Green Condominium Association and Quadrangle Association sent Ald. Hairston and the Conference a description of why they oppose opening 57th St. to 2-way traffic between Stony Island and Lake Park. Our understanding is that the motion is dead and not supported by the alderman due to lack of neighbors' support.

No transit solution in sight. Heavy "doomsday" CTA and Pace cuts in transit service and fare hikes were set for November 4 but are now put off to at least January 20.

 

Rumour Central. We were told that the city had scuttled Transportation (Parking) Districts backhandedly by putting in the 2008 budget quadrupling the price of parking meters and proposing to lease or sell the meters.- with nothing for communities for enhancements. This report is apparently without foundation.

As expected, President Bush vetoed the Water Resources bill (which included authorization of 3rd party study of Promontory Point. But Congress overrode.

The "Solstice on the Park" proposed high rise for 56th and Cornell moves closer with agreements with Bret Harte School and residents of the building to the north plus Interfaith Open Communities and UNANYMOUS SUPPORT AT A WELL ATTENDED COMMUNITY MEETNG NOVEMBER 15 at Bret Harte ahead of hearing by the Plan Commission, Committee on Zoning, and City Council; construction is expected summer of 2008 to the end of 2009.

Meanwhile a decision by White Lodging on an alternative Doctors Hospital plan to developers has yet to be announced.

The Gov's big item vetoes (463 million) are reported by our legislators, service providers to hurt or kill many local programs, 55 in all. These include CeaseFire, the Blue Gargoyle, the Neighborhood Club, and Canter and Murray and Shoesmith schools. October 2 the House overrode overwhelmingly all the vetoes except in the Governor's own programs. Sen. Jones seems unlikely to bring it up in the Senate.

Reports of aldermen at the 2007 HPKCC Annual Meeting.

Eyebrows have been raised by Ald. Preckwinkle's denial of request for honoring for UC associated author Saul Bellow. Questions of what is racist and of complexities and when they matter are being discussed.

A Hyde Park former police officer related to the owner of Leak funeral homes was found guilty of murdering a fellow associate to whom he tried to pin the blame for his own swindles. Meanwhile Police officers Troy Susnis and Maciej Prdazmowski were awarded the Cook County Sheriff Law Enforcement Award of Merit for helping detectives solve a robbery pattern in Hyde Park and arrest the suspects August 13 2007.

Ald. Preckwinkle, as well as Jamie Kalven, have been trying to get the list of worst abusers on the Police Department (i.e. most complaints). This was promised by the judge, but the city insists it need give only a list with names blanked out. Now the Alderman is going to court in her own name as alderman. Kalven wrote a lengthy explanation in the Herald Oct. 10 of what he believes to be at issue and how much is at stake. In late October Judge Joan Leftkow ruled she does not have jurisdiction to require release of the list without blackouts. Appeal to the 7th Circuit is likely.

The October 14 2007 Tribune published an insightful and balanced article on Harper Court, quoting HPKCC president George Rumsey.

Cleanslate program shown to be a huge success. Cleanslate page.

The Park District and stakeholders, experts reached agreement in principle on compromise maintenance of Wooded Island, but pd has now placed a moratorium on work on the Island pending creation of a Plan all sign on to. See Wooded Island page.
The Olympic Committee held a detailed conversation with a largely attended Jackson Park Council meeting September 10.
And Sept.29, Sat 10:20 am the model yacht basin and new Ferrari statue will be dedicated.

October 16, Eli Ungar of Antheus Capital and MAC Properties met the community in forum, sp. by HPKCC, at the Neighborhood Club. Antheus/MAC page. Follow up is slated for May 6, 7 pm at the Neighborhood Club.

The Illinois legislature sent a state operating budget to the Governor, who now has cut $500 million- it's expected the House will override and Senate sustain after Labor Day, then they will fight it out over CTA, casino bill, and capital bill. At any case there is still no budget for school, departments to spend from. The budget would not reorganize sources of funding or start new programs Nothing is said about transit (although the agencies seem to be going for a separate reorganization bill or nothing; legislature will reconvene on the matter after Labor Day), but give a larger than usual increase to schools, $600m, which A+ Illinois says is grossly inadequate, and a large pool for legislators' programs (which might be earmarked for each, or for causes, or a general pool). Capital budget is still deadlocked.

Will CTA still have to go to doomsday in January?CTA page.

Word is that Antheus Capital is redrawing intent to build a new retail and housing development at Village Center, 51st and Hyde Park Blvd.

State Senator Kwame Raoul met with the Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference Schools Committee and the Kenwood-Oakland Community Organization. A Frank and far-reaching conversation was held on LSC successes and needs.
State Senator Kwame Raoul has moved his district office to Harper Court--5210D S. Harper. All numbers stay the same.

The Police summer mobile unit is again flushing swimmers at Promontory Point out of the water. See Promontory Park page.

Bob Mason of SECC congratulated the work of the 21st District and UC Police , noting a 22 percent reduction in violent crimes for 7 months (most for any district) on top of 2006's 14% third largest.

Row develops over destruction of 47th murals, call for RFP to artists rather than priority for present. See subtleties in Metra viaducts and murals page.

Enough of the right tenants can make a big difference--sales rose dramatically for businesses after Toys Et Cetera moved into th courtyard wing of Hyde Park Shopping Center. . And Jerry Kleiner's Hyde Park Grill at the north end of Harper Court (said by the Herald to be a dramatic model for new retail) is gearing up for gradual opening--see in Business Climate page. There read that the Herald calls for TIF to take lead on Harper Court, since it's amassing money.
But Harper Court is cited for disrespecting tenants and its original purpose in treatment of Dr. Wax, which may fold in August. (Coverage will be in Harper Court Sale.)

Chicago wins US Olympic nod:-details, questions: Olympics page. Below on Chamber of Commerce talk and prospects for organizing a local committee. Washington Park Council seeks to make park and community gains from Olympics, Jackson Park council opposes its proposed Olympic venue, Hyde Park Historical Society opposes the stadium in Washington Park. See HPKCC questions and concerns sent to Mayor, Committee.

Party trashes part of Midway Plaisance, neighbors protest, worry about policing and permitting of events. A prelude of what to expect from Olympics? But the party started out well until too many came and those supposed to monitor, clean up did not. The "Chosen Few House Music" group had a 16-year record of fine, family events in recent years behind the Museum, and were perplexed, hurt and offended by the coverage. More in Neighborhood Quality of Life page. See the event sponsor's webpage. House Music rose out of older genres in the 1970s and 80s and became important in many clubs, especially African American and gay. It is "calmer" than the contemporary rock, industrial and punk and eschews hip-hop's often offensive-to-many lyrics. A number of Chicagoan South Siders of all incomes and races were instrumental in its development.
In another part of east Hyde Park, neighbors blame Bar Louis for part of problems there (others say the establishment is at most a modest component) while many (not all) petition for permit parking.

Will legislature fund CTA, Schools, reach a budget, reach compromise on electric rates as deadline looms? House Transit Comm. votes transit reorganization, funding, accountability. Legislature opts for a one-month extension through July. Locals express disgust at the proposed rate hikes and loss of 2 bus routes, think CTA not run right now.

University announces demolition plans for Doctors Hospital, to build hotel, conference, dining facility. Initial response disappointment.
See Doctors Hospital page. A public mtg. July 23 saw about 250 residents and others. Almost unanimously they raised serious objections, ranging from "no-go" to those that would require major adjustments to accommodate and from preservation through better architecture to cannot work in this quieter area.

Village Center (51st Lake Park) dev. plans previewed, gen. liked- but Ald. blocking, may be dropped. See Village Center page-large, tight development eyed.
L3 seeks to present, neighbors oppose plan for Mobil site. See 53rd-Mobil page.

Doubts continue among those seeking to tweak 56/Cornell development- see that page. And Antheus Capital took out a $123 million 10-year loan to complete its purchase of 43 buildings (5 on Drexel/ 5600 block since sold to U of C) including rehab. A resident asserted that rehab of all the remaining buildings would drive up rents threatening affordability.

Meeting on Better 53rd Street reveals nitty gritty, hopes, coming realities.

Co-op elects 3 new board members, 2 alternates. Again says a 47th lease likely in a few months. Still no GM-search firm hired. Book Sale jettisoned. See Co-op page.

5th ward seeks to tweak, increase use of blue cart recycling

Residents are still leary about coming festivals in Washington Park, differ on where they should be, whether anything got better last year, cite trash, noise, parking/traffic, not enough publicity on UC garages open.

There is a petition drive for permit parking on South Shore Drive especially south of 55th Street. The problems there are enormous and range from high rises to Bar Louis, to folks who come to the Point--and often return after the park is closed. One drawback is that some streets qualify by zoning while others have too much density for the law to permit permit parking. Another is that to have a spot on that street, your address must be on that street. The Alderman's office believes the obstacles are too great, but factors that contribute to the problems (including the safety and noise issues) can be addressed now.

Resident Noah Berlatsky notes in a letter to the Herald that Dyett Pool seems to be the exclusive province of the Jewish Community Center this summer. (There is a charge to join the program . He thinks a better deal could have been worked out for all.

Ray school says goodbye to Principal Fields and Asst Principal Lobbins after long tenures. Schools seek LSC candidates as parent's kids graduate, other members relocate.

Chicago Children's Choir celebrates 50 years of living as diverse society embodying Hyde Park ideals from the 1950s.

Attacker of Mosely-Braun outside her home caught robbing local Subway, positively identified. And suspects arrested in Florida and here for June 2006 murder of Leona's manager Corey Alexander. (It turns out that four were involved, one being a recently fired employee.)

UC gets $35 million naming gift for Creative and Performing Arts Center: Reva and David Logan. And Charles Harper gives large gift to business school to underwrite students, faculty recruitment. Info on the University's doings is in University and Community page.

Lots of complaints about Jackson Park conditions, parking mess at 56th and South Shore.

Affordable housing coalition of community orgs., residents approves a housing advocacy/development org. for a sustainable community for people of all income levels at pubic mtg. May 19- See page with report.
Meanwhile, Mayor pushes through his own set aside ordinance a week before new aldermen thrown in--ald. say lots of flaws, but a step... improvements likely. (see the Affordable Housing page linked above.)

More work starts on Lake Park corridor, viaducts. Details in Lake Park page. And Cleanslate starts 53rd cleanup and more- see Cleanslate page.

May 14 TIF meeting votes $150,000 Canter Middle School improvements.

Development: Leal report at May TIF reveals troubles and delay with 53d Cornell project, desire to move forward on 53rd Kenwood--to report July 9.
Drs Hospital: University said to be leaning toward clearing the site.

U of C students orgs. increasingly militant and disruptive over Darfur, criticized in turn, but Rep. Rush said he will no longer help U of C if it does not divest.

Crimes and crime patterns- below. Mosely-Braun attack spurs Ald. Hairston to hold community meeting- mugger later caught . UC (rather late) adopts sexual assault protocol. County prosecutor seeks death penalty in the "cable guy" Anthony Triplett's local, remote murder citing "cold and calculating torture" and multiple "murder...during the course of a felony."
Bicycle patrols among improvements told at comm. safety meeting held by Ald. Hairston May 9.
Police express concern about new outbreaks of teen random attacks on adults.

SECC dinner honors local doers; what UC President Zimmer said.

Ray LSC chooses experienced Hyde Parker, Agassiz Principal Bernadette Butler as next principal.

Hyde Park Art Center hosts a big anniversary; Art scene perks up around special big exhibits and FOTA at University, then June's 57th St. Art Fair. Gift to UC big boost.

Sen. Raoul tells community why he opposed re imposition of electric rate freeze, what alternatives there are in legislation for the needy. Letter writers challenge back.

Important meetings likely to reveal or create news- (full menu in the Community Meetings Calendar page)

Promontory Point: U.S. House votes 3rd Party review funding, Senate expected to pass in summer. See Point Latest for the most complete discussions and coverage of PP.
Note: police said they will ticket swimmers off the Point, a continuing bone of contention.

Olympics continues to simmer; the Committee now offering more community consultation. See in Olympics page.

MAC Properties acquires K&G's buildings, tripling its holdings into one of the top landlords in Hyde Park. Hopes and concerns

Crains' reports Hyde Park among 4 city Borders' locations that could be subleased, perhaps closed-but whether such closure is likely remains unclear.

Co-op news coming?

U of C and Park District roll out plans for a south winter garden on the Midway- details will be in the Midway Winter Garden and South Campus Plan pages.

61st Street community garden gets major favorable writeup in Maroon

Post Office plans move within HP Shopping Ctr. with community

Preckwinkle, Hairston win easily; Herald calls for Preckwinkle to oppose Olympics and ask state to dissolve Harper Court. Ald. Hairston's agenda for next four years. Ald. Preckwinkle cites 2 challenges.

Realities, politics of fixing sidewalks boil over re: 56th St; Ald. trying to have fixed this year- see in Safety Concerns page. Blue cart recycling started for small units in 5th ward. See in Green page.

Fav Son Obama runs

From the TIF, Agendas. (To Transportation Enhancement District page. To TIF Adv. Co. meetings)

From Feb. 6 business working coffee w Ald. Preckwinkle: policing success, rats, snow, and Cleanslate.

A Year-End Roundup on Transportation and Parks Matters- December 2006 Conference Reporter

Development news: Giordano's to be demolished without preservation? No new news.
Shiloh Baptist and Harvard School working out well.
Harper Theater, Harper Court (Nancy Stanek's Toys Et Cetera leaving for HP Shopping Center and RFP is stalled while the city rejects appraisal), 53rd Cornell, 56th Cornell, Doctors Hospital. (See also TIF Council meeting reports page.)
Leal report at May TIF reveals troubles and delay with 53d Cornell project, desire to move forward on 53rd Kenwood--to report July 9.
Visit our new Development pages Navigator and the Development homepage.
Plan for 6 condos on lot next to Obama home raises ire or wait-and-see.

 

Seeking Affordability. Proposal to be set forth at May 19 forum 9-11 University Church.

The city is working on a new contract to provide WiFi for the neighborhoods and may listen to those who plead for overcoming the digital divide. But some say it's lagging far to much.

Disabilities Task Force making a difference

Chamber and Business news. Magic Mart revoked.

Historical Society News

Hyde Park Co-op's troubles, efforts to recover.

A parking (now transportation enhancement) district proposal for the 53rd business district- Notice on availability of Murray lot for overnight parking. See Transportation Enhancement District page.

Brazen crimes, burglaries punctuate overall sharp crime decline
UC student accused in major theft spree in neighborhood, University and Hospitals--local store acting as chop shop. Alerts

Some landlords are slipping on safety issues such as rats.

Complaints, reports of accidents continue for the walks along the north edge of Jackson park on 56th; Ald. Hairston says putting on list for this year.

Better things to come department: ATT and Earthlink are competing to right to build a basic WIFI city wide (using 90,00 street light poles); for the more robust network Sprint Nextel wants to build in Chicago as one of is first roll outs a WiMax system capable of giving internet aces in buildings, on the street or even when travelling--this would compete with AT&T Mobile (Cingular).

Schools. Ray school chooses Bernadette Butler. See News of Schools. HPKCC pursues more use of great array of neighborhood afterschool programs; South Side Parents hears talk by Catherine Jackson and prepares schools and enrichment fairs.

Parks. Some people perceive/assert diminution of cover, birds in Wooded Island, meeting at Council achieves some consensus on new directions. See Jackson Park meetings page for info on latest discussion on Wooded Island (with new Manager), a coming garden food system, and update on swim bans with officials. The Olympic Washington Park Stadium proposal continues to garner the vigorous opposition of some, including the Hyde Park Historical Society, the Herald, and criticism on consultation by Ald. Preckwinkle. Others caution that this train has left the station but there is much to make sure of so this is good in many terms, and not a disaster. HPKCC has sent a set of concerns and questions to the Mayor and Olympic Committee (see Letter). See the Olympic page.
Jackson Park gave $200 toward restoration of Center Park in New Orleans, devastated by Katrina.

At the University and Town-Gown issues, broader issues (Darfur... and student group (STAND) is pushing hard, with direct confrontation)

Olympic plans for Washington Park continue to spark heated debate, opposition. See Olympics page.

On the political scene, campaigns

Legislative veto session yields only minimum wage increase, nothing else definite that effects local people. An education caucus at the end did give promise to try to find a solution to the school funding and taxation problem.

Jamie Kalven sees city suit to get his internet notes in a lawsuit against officers re treatment of a female in the projects, dropped with settlement of the suit.

Legislative, aldermanic wish lists and agendas
Sen. Raoul tells in April 25 Herald why he opposed the electric rate freeze, and what ameliorative programs have been negotiated and enacted.

Awards; Comings and goings

Newsnavigator

The short of it: What's Going On?

The first bone-fide open community meeting on the Olympics in our communities and parks took place July 2, 2007. Washington Park council has a committee holding regular meetings and submitting requests/demands on the subject (meets 1st Saturdays at 9 in the Refectory.) HPKCC and the Park District are seeking to set up a small leadership meeting. Olympics page.
Chicago is the official U.S. 2016 Olympic Games entree.
Read about it in our Olympics page, see HPKCC's submitted questions and concerns.

Neighbors are organizing on several fronts:

NEIGHBORS HAVE ALREADY ORGANIZED WITH DEMANDS ON THE MOBIL/MCDONALD'S SITE. THEIR DEMANDS ARE:

Neighbors opposed to a Marriott hotel and conference center on the site of Doctors Hospital, 5800 S. Stony Island, are organizing in a number of ways and fronts.

Neighbors of the 53rd Cornell and 56th Cornell developments (by different developers) have organized.

There is a petition drive for permit parking in the area of South Shore Drive, 54th to 56th Streets.

A recent multi-organizational Hyde Park-Kenwood Affordability summit passed an organizational and objectives resolution. Read resolution and report; Background and about the recently-passed city set aside ordinance. Report on the first forum of April 2006.

 

A number of Hyde Parkers responded to the echoes of big resistance to changes / options being considered for recommendation concerning completing the public lakefront esp. 71st-75th section. Residents there want to keep that section private and with no new features in the lake. Many here agree or call for more beaches (as beaches), but some cite the longstanding tradition of public ownership and access to the Lake in Chicago.

Watch for the next meeting: Disabilities Task Force meets at Hyde Park Bank 4th fl. conf. room, 1525 E. 53rd St. A multi-organization initiative. Business Information Packet. Join Task Force: George Rumsey.

Be aware of or take advantage of these:
Cleanslate started working on 53rd May 14--greet them! Read about this combined service, 2nd-chance, social-purpose nonprofit business.

Construction on Lake Park and 53rd and 55th viaducts.
Read about it.
Bike patrols (larger this year) on the lakefront Memorial - Labor Day.

Visit Development for pages on proposed developments. Details.
Developments eyed, and dropped. Harper Theater decision, reports.
Hot are plans for Doctors Hospital-disliked by initial viewers, and Indian Village (51st/Lake Park)-initial impression was it is a wonderful building, to be in the lot, with special provision for Original House of Pancakes. But Alderman Preckwinkle appears to oppose it or the developer. Antheus developers says they may now have to set it aside and just lease the existing spaces.
If Mr. Leal demolishes the buildings at 53rd Cornell and sits on them, the community may get temporary parking, but with slashed taxes the TIF coffers will suffer.

Harper Court: The city was getting appraisals and engineering studies for the Harper Court and City parking lot site and preparing an RFP. HPKCC continues to insist on fully public review of the draft and final proposals. Things seem to have cooled, and second approaches being sought. Vacant spaces are being re-let.
HPKCC's forums last spring generated many ideas and a set of principles, endorsed by HPKCC board: 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.
HPKCC Harper Court Reports online, Ideas and Principles.

Other forums, reports: HPKCC's "The Future of the Co-Op."
What's Right/Wrong with Hyde Park HPKCC forum.
TIF Parking Committee bus. distr. recommendations, including a Transportation Enhancement (parking) district.
After School Providers forum report with contacts is now up.
Gov't swim ban update, discussion with Jackson Park Mar. 12.

Promontory Point: design funds, preservation standard passed the U.S. House in April. Latest Details
See Scope of Work for Preservation-based independent review.
Read HPKCC thoughts, letters and reports on the Point.

Latest Crime/Robberies:
In early May a Community Safety meeting for the area near the campus into central Hyde Park was convened by 5th Ward Ald. Leslie A. Hairston, with 21st Police District Commander Howard W. Lodding and U of C Police Director Rudy Nimocks. Topics ranged from how to protect yourself and property and new strategies to requests for more complete reportage and more target policing. Two UC students who rescued former Sen. Moseley-Braun were honored. (Assailant since caught). Read about it.
2006 had the lowest incidence of violent crime in recent and many years and well below city wide average. There are still brazen strong-arm robberies and murders, and increased burglaries (although down this year). Alerts issued to people walking alone on any of various streets through the neighborhood and there have been several recent catches . Suggestions were made for alert improvements. U of C alert list serves: http://listhost.uchicago.edu/mailman/listinfo/safety-awareness. Also: security email alerts, type subscribe aware. Visit also http://commonsense.uchicago.edu/
Lorenzo Wilson, 19, alleged killer of the Leona's manager in June 2006, has been extradited from Florida and charged. At least two others alleged to be involved are being sought. Murdered Corey Ebenezer's fiance has filed a lawsuit against premises management alleging lax security.
Learn about HPKCC's WhistleSTOP and community safety action program. Visit also our concerns and actions in Community Safety. Tips for staying safe are in Public Safety and CAPS beat.

Legislature and state budget. As of June's end, the going is still slow. There seems to be a deal very close on electric rates- $1 billion (half of the 'windfall') in various rebates and relief measures. The House rules Committee voted out a bill more friendly to school councils than that under consideration by the Senate. The House Transit committee passed a reorganization-refunding bill with accountability that RTA supports. A one-month continuing budget resolution is being passed.

People in the news, passings

July 6 Tribune carried a story about the long journey of the vivekenanda vedanta Society, on Hyde Park Blvd. since 1967 and moving this fall to Homer Glen.

This issue also carried a fine obituary of Hyde Park and Chicago leader Eleanor Petersen.


More/Bulletins

HPKCC steps in to save Co-op book fair. Herald, August 1, 2007. By Nykeya Woods.

Cash-strapped Hyde Park Co-op Market handed over reigns to the neighborhood's annual fall book sale to the Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference (HPKC) this week. The Hyde Park Shopping Center courtyard at 55th Street and Lake Pak Avenue will still be the site of the book sale. Books can be dropped off at the store beginning Aug. 15.

"I'm excited and hopeful it will be successful," said HPKCC board member Jane Comiskey. "This is the first big-time fund-raiser we as an organization have ever done." as in previous years, the event il take place Columbus Day weekend.

The weekend event was in limbo all summer, as the Co-op decided in May to stop organizing the event and, over following months, the Hyde Park Neighborhood Club finally declined to pick up the project.

Co-op board member James Withrow said the struggling cooperative, currently without a general manager, just couldn't handle the job any more. "The board felt that we didn't want our managers running it this year or it distracting from their time because they have a grocery store to run and we are still looking for a general manager," Withrow said....

Withrow is happy that there will be a book sale this year, he said. "The book sale is specifically important to me because I'm a big book reader. several friends and I go to as many book sales as we can like this. So it was really important to me that this goes on," Withrow said.

A longstanding event, the book sale draws midwestern buyers from used and rare book stores as well as bibliophiles from all over the country. Owners of an English-only bookstore in P0land have participated in the past.

Comiskey said the event wil retain its familiar features. "Nothing will be different," Comiskey said. "It wil be the same and it will be run by the same woman who ran it last year for the Co-op, Rani Fedson."

Those looking to volunteer should call Comiskey at 324-o750. Top

Reports of Aldermen Hairston and Preckwinkle at the HPKCC 2007 Annual Meeting
Gary Ossewaarde

Alderman Hairston:
53rd and 55th projects are coming long; she knows there has been much inconvenience.
She and staff are thinking about Olympic needs and impacts and how these fold into the needs in the Ward. She asked people to volunteer for topic task forces. Call 773 324-5555.
There is a full press for development along Stony Island. Staged development will start soon.
There was a question about some postal collection boxes with instructions only in Spanish.
Request was made to make the sculpture on the 55th median go away. The two aldermen will call a joint public meeting on the whole median.
St. Stephen’s church. One holdout resident stands in the path of the agreed-upon development.

Alderman Preckwinkle:
TIF meeting. Asks for more attendance, participation.
Pleased that several businesses have participated in the Small Business Improvement Loan program: Cedars, Chant (former Far East Kitchen), 3 Pillars Wellness, Laundromat (on Harper?)
She touted the proposed arts and recreation center for 35th and Cottage Grove.
She hoped the November TIF meeting will feature several developments including Harper Theater, 53rd Cornell, 53rd Kenwood.
In answer to a question, the University has underwritten Borders to stay open at least three more years. In answer to follow up, she said she absolutely likes Borders being used as a public and community space.
In answer to an urging to get going on crumbling sidewalks endangering persons with disabilities, she touted the 50-50 sidewalk program (amortized over 10 years via taxes).
She was not ready to announce the changes, satisfactory to her, to the Olympic Village. She indicated it is safe to assume it involves city reorganization of Michael Reese space.
She said the inability to fix and put transit on a sound footing poses a serious question mark for the Olympics. She called for real investment.
Harper Court. The appraisal is done (she declined to reveal the numbers). She has to meet with Harper Court board. (She insisted on using the term “Arts Council.” A Request for Qualifications, which winnows and doesn’t involve as much work or cost) will be put out, from which a few teams will be selected to develop proposals. The RFQ will include the price expected. If the land is sold, HC and the city will receive their shares per shares in the appraisal.
Her office is keeping a log of complaints about the Post Office; she said 60615 is the worst in Chicago. There is a new local postmistress. Top

Chicago chosen for Olympics. Opinions, concerns are divided. Speaker at Chamber of Commerce event calls for an organization to manage Olympic needs, get what community needs.
See follow up Herald editorial in Olympics page.

May 8 the Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce had Len Walters speak at its monthly Business to Business soiree at Bank Financial. He said that business activity will intensify and so will impacts as the time for the Olympics approaches, maybe taxes and pressures on affordability also--people will want to be here. The community should organize to develop strategies to handle the impacts and steer things in directions we want them to go. This means going to and making our needs know to government agencies, media, businesses of all sizes, institutions and foundations. Two agenda items of such a committee or organization are: getting every bit of publicity possible the good things we have to offer and demanding improvements that will last. The latter includes infrastructure, transportation, landscaping, parks, schools above all, security, and retail and development. He also suggested we start working with the organizations in the other communities that will be close to the Olympics and find ways to engage the schools to use the Olympics as inspiration for schools and the kids and to get the money that is available for "Olympics related learning." We should use that word "impacted."

Judging from what was said by way of introduction and engagement of Mr. Walters, lead business organizations support organizations and institutions in Hyde Park have already decided to form such an Olympics organization for Hyde Park. Asked about what kind of outside business support we can expect, he said to forget the large corporations--they have already been tapped out by the city for Olympics. He did suggest that it is in the realm of feasibility to persuade a couple or more corporations to relocate headquarters in Hyde Park, close the Olympics and with with our amenities and the University.

In May Alderman Preckwinkle invited businessmen and leaders and residents to Pizza Capri for an occasional discussion on improving 53rd- "Building Blocks." This focused on city efforts to get rid of rats on and around 53rd area, covering property tax increases, and a talk with city officials on how to take advantage of funds to improve small businesses. On rats, 4th Ward Superintendent Ruby Woods stressed cutting off the food source, sealing the envelope including of dumpsters, and who is responsible for what. David Walvoord of the city explained the TIF-based Small Business Improvement Fund, which can be accessed at 312 360-3300. The alderman warned that city revenues are behind, expect property tax increases.

June 26 2007 5th Ward meeting focused on how to improve, increase participation in the blue cart recycling program. It appears there are more recyclables than traditional "garbage"- residents are seeking to increases the pickups to one a week instead of bi-monthly. (A article in the Herald in June? 2007 implied that the city does not want to have the program be very successful, fearing increased cost.) 5th Ward sanitation Superintendent Gloria Pittman, on the other hand, told the ward meeting that more could participate and there should be block captains who, inter alia could put up reminders about dates and times of pickup. The alderman also announced a pilot for permanent street cleaning signs.

Police express concern about new wave of teen random attacks on adults. In late May 2007, it was noted by police and officials that a number of attacks by (mainly groups of) teens on adults occurred, especially on May 21 around the U of C campus but also elsewhere. Rudy Nimocks, head of the U of C Police, said these are probably related to creating status and impressing peers. Bob Mason of SECC told the Herald the trend has been on the rise since February. Two had been arrested.

MAC buys big block of rental properties, possibly affecting housing directions and character in the neighborhood. Some buildings order tenant out by June 15 for rehab. See below.

Work has started on the long-touted Lake Park Avenue corridor including the viaducts, starting with the signal lights at 53rd, which are countdown, but it is unclear whether they will be audible like the ones at 55th will be. Discussion to be held at the May 14 TIF meeting.

Visit summary of TIF meeting of March 12, 2007.

At a CTA hearing on the CTA-UC bus route, there was both praise and criticism, and many specific suggestions for CTA. See in UC Routes page. Students remain skeptical about tweaks to the system. Now watch for disruptions on the North Side from Brown Line reconstruction- 25% and more reduction in track capacity. And RTA has told CTA, Metra and PACE to raise fares.

In other transportation Frank Kruesi goes, Ron Huberman in at CTA; serious problems that will affect our area, ability to host Olympics need addressing. See CTA home page/

Nancy Stanek moved Toys Et Cetera from Harper Court to north half of the former Cohn and Stern store in the Hyde Park Shopping Center on 55th (owned by the University of Chicago. Stanek, with others had sought to buy out and rehab Harper Court but made it clear her alternative was to seek relocation in the neighborhood. She now says that saving Harper Court seems now both unfeasible and unlikely. Details and background in Harper Court Sale home. Meanwhile, Ald. Preckwinkle said the city did receive appraisal of Harper Court but rejected it.

South East Chicago Commission held its annual dinner April 19 at the Grand Ballroom. Honored were: (Don Michael Randel Community Service:) Douglas Mc Keever, Annie Pope, Alice Schlessinger), (Chicago Police Department) Commander Howard Lodding, ( Department of Housing) Clare Leary, (Department of Planning & Development) Commissioner Lori Healey, (Department of Transportation) Deidre Holmes, (Chicago Housing Authority) Jessica Caffrey, (Chicago Park District) Chris Gent, (University of Chicago Police) Officer Walter Boddie.

President Zimmer said the University is part of its larger community. The university takes seriously its responsibility as a corporate citizen and will increase its engagement and work.

April 20, Ray School local school council chose experienced Hyde Parker, Agassiz (Lincoln Park) Principal Bernadette Butler to succeed 17-year popular Principal Cydney Fields. A major focus will be on taking one of our best-performing schools to the next level and growing and integrating the arts curriculum.

TIF gift gives Canter Middle School a makeover

Herald, May 23 2007. By Nykeya Woods

As the school year ends, Canter Middle School, 959 S. blackstone Ave., its beginning its $150,000 makeover, courtesy of funds approved at the May 14 53rd street Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Advisory Council meeting.

Principal Carolyn Epps said that she wants to create a welcoming environment for junior high school students with new doors, landscaping and and exterior cleaning of the school's two-story building. The allocation is the first for canter. "Ideally we would fix up everything but the exterior is so drab," Epps said. Epps wants to install an electrical sign to replace th e old one. "We want to look like a school you want to go to and not [like] a storage facility," E[[s said. "That is kind of what it looks like now from the the street.

During the meeting, TIF Chairman Howard Males read an e-mail about his concerns for funds to the school. "The Canter representatives have been patient. They've been gracious in waiting for redevelopment to fund a larger scale improvement to their school," Males said.

Males, along with other TIF members Virginia Vaske and Mae Wilson, formed a special committee to talk with Epps. In meetings, the group talked [about] what the school needs and how TIF. funds would be used.



Meetings that are themselves news and likely to reveal and create news

News in and affecting the neighborhood:

Promontory Point

The U.S. House of Representatives passed in late April 2007 the Rep. Jackson language mandating a "preservation" approach to the Point and the $450,000 appropriation for the third party review of preservation options that all parties signed on to by summer 2006 after intervention by Sen. Obama in late 2005. The legislation, in the Water Resources Development Act, moves to the Senate his summer and, provided that Congress passes a bill, unlike last year, is expected to have no objection. The actual multi-party review and the preliminary engineering by the Buffalo and Seattle branches of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, let alone actual reconstruction, are years away. See in Latest Point page. Top

MAC acquires big rental property block, potentially affecting neighborhood housing, quality directions.

The Post Office moving...

The U.S. Post Office held a rare public hearing March 6 on its near-certain move from overcrowded and hard to manage quarters in the lower level of the Co-op 55th market to the former Joyce's Hallmark, in the same shopping center. The new space will be twice as large and on ground level, with visibility. The only concerns were with leaving the Co-op in the lurch. The post office had, this source was told, inquired about the Video Store space (even though not really ideal, but was told there were other prospects.) The Post Office said it will post an address for comments (Earlene Campbell, 62 Stratford Drive, Bloomingdale, IL 60117-7000, 630-295-6241, pearlene.campbell@usps.gov, then report to the alderman, sign contracts et al, which may not go out to bid because it's a proximate move. The move will take up to a year and a half. The Hallmark space will be divided between the Post Office and What the Traveler saw. The last piece in that shopping center is the south part of Cohn and Stern space. Top

Crains' reports Hyde Park Borders' with 3 other city locations may be subleased, even closed by parent. Below- they deny they plan to close in Hyde Park.

Bookseller looks to sublease Uptown, Hyde Park and 2 Lincoln Park locations. [The problems may as much or more reflect national market trends as anything local, and property is often marketed with no intent to close, at least in the short run. ]

Chicago Business News, Analysis & Articles | Borders may close four Chicago stores | Crains'

(Crains') — Borders Group Inc. may close four of its eight Chicago stores, including two in the Lincoln Park neighborhood.

Borders, the nation’s second-largest bookseller, has hired a local real estate brokerage firm to sublease the four stores, according to real estate industry sources.

The stores being marketed include two Lincoln Park locations, at 2817 N. Clark St. and 755 W. North Ave., the Uptown outlet at 4718 N. Broadway Ave. and the Hyde Park location at 1539 E. 53rd St.

Three of the stores, Uptown, North Avenue and Hyde Park, opened in the last four years.

No other Borders locations, including two downtown — on State Street and Michigan Avenue — in Lincoln Village on the Far North Side , Beverly on the South Side or its roughly 25 suburban stores, are being marketed for sub-lease, sources say.

Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Borders is coming off a difficult holiday season in which sales at stores open more than a year fell 1.9%. In January, the company cited falling store traffic and a “steep decline” in music sales for the holiday results.

On Thursday, new CEO George Jones is expected to announce a new strategic plan, which sources say could involve closing stores, when the company reports its full-year results.

“There’s nothing wrong with that real estate,” says Allen Joffe, a principal with Baum Realty Group who heads the firm’s retail leasing division and isn't involved in marketing the four Borders' sites. “I would have to assume Chicago would be part of the broader, national strategy.”

A Borders spokeswoman says she doesn’t know whether the stores are being marketed for sublease. But she says the stores haven’t been slated to close. She also notes that the retailer has marketed stores for sublease for years, including one on Park Avenue in Manhattan, that the chain still operates.

“It doesn’t cost anything to put it out there to see if anyone is interested in the retail space,” the spokeswoman says. “That doesn’t mean we’re closing. It could take years to find a subtenant.”

Borders has hired Oak Brook Terrace-based Mid-America Real Estate Corp. to market the four stores, sources say. Mid-America Principal Jeff Kuchman declines to comment.

Wall Street is expecting Mr. Jones, who took over as CEO last July, to announce a new direction for Borders, which has tried to expand by opening new stores in the U.S. and abroad while remodeling existing stores in recent years, according to Morningstar Inc. analyst Joseph Beaulieu in Chicago.

The company in January acknowledged it is seeking to sublease a Borders in downtown Minneapolis. Top

Irene Sherr takes a more complex take on the possibilities for Borders, including Borders' denial it plans to closed the store. (But some note this would be a particularly damaging closure because of the separateness and location of the building.)

Border's low sales not Hyde Park's Fault. April 4, 2007 Herald

The Herald's recent story ) Borders reports low sales at HP store, may close, March 28) did not present an accurate picture of the situation. The story made it sound as if the Hyde Park's Borders' "underperformance" was the neighborhood's fault.

The reality is that the Hyde Park Borders situation largely reflects the company's overall performance and what is happening in the retail book and music industry.

In the 1990's booksellers grew by opening additional bricks and mortar locations. Retail growth has slowed, which has forced Barnes & Noble, Borders and other retail bookstores to look towards e-commerce as a way to improve their bottom line. It is a very competitive field and quite difficult to compete successfully against Amazon.

According to Ann Binkley, Borders' director of public relations, Borders does not plan to close the Hyde Park store, but explore the feasibility of sub-leasing the space of four "underperforming" stores in Chicago. Ours is one, another is in Uptown and the other two are in Lincoln Park, including the landmark store at Clark and Diversey.

The facts are that orders lost $73.6 million during the fourth quarter of 2006 compared to $119.1 million of net income for the same period in 2005. Even Borders CEO George Jones explained in a March 22 press release, "Our company's performance has fallen short in an industry that is increasingly competitive, technology driven and price sensitive."

On a neighborhood level, Borders entered the market facing well established competition from 57th Street Bookstore, Seminary Co-op B