Bullet Bullet

hydepark.org Hot Topics

Find all our Calendars and Directories. Community Meetings, Cultural Calendar, Community Events, Civic/Social/Personal Development, Spiritual Affairs.

Community Meetings and Forums

Bullet May 14, Wednesday, 7 pm. The Coalition for Equitable Community Development will meet at the Hyde Park Neighborhood Club, 5480 S. Kenwood. New members welcome.

Bullet May 16th, 9-6; 17th 9-4: Hyde Park Garden Fair Committee Spring Sale. HP Shopping Center Courtyard, 55th and Lake Park. 773 955-4455 including volunteering, spec. purchases, gift certificates. Supports HPKCC and beautification.

Bullet May 17th has many events including neighborhood history tours (http://www.chicagohistoryfair.org/hikeforhistory/), clean and green, health fairs. Visit our calendars.

Bullet May 20, Tuesday, 6:30 pm. East Hyde Park Action Committee meets at Treasure Island Lower Level, 1526 E. 55th St. Improving city infrastructure and services will be among topics discussed. Contact Howard Niden at EHPAComm@yahoo.com.

Bullet May 22, Thursday, 6:30 pm. 5th Ward Olympic planning and impact monthly meeting. This one focuses on transportation concerns and needs. Jackson Park Field house, 6401 S. Stony Island Ave. 773 324-5555. Note that a Washington Park Olympic Coalition meets 1st Saturdays 9 am at Washington Park field house, 5531 S. King.

Bullet May 24, Saturday, 10 am. 4th Ward Monthly Meeting, Monumental Baptist Church, 729 E. Oakwood Blvd. Call the ward office, 773 536-8103.

Bullet May 24, Saturday, 11 am-7 pm. Southside Solidarity Network is lead organizer (with Beat 314) of a multi-neighborhood festival and fair in Woodlawn at 1st Presbyterian, 64th and Kimbark, Art in Action. Discussions, face painting, food, hip-hop, blues, gospel, rock, hip-hop dance, break dancing, poetry slam. Free. Contact Hallie Trauger, 773 834-6554, htrauger.uchicago.edu.

Bullet May 27, Tuesday, 6 pm. 5th Ward Monthly Meeting. La Rabida? 65th and Lake Michigan. 773 324-5555.

Bullet May 27, Tuesday, 6:30 pm. The TIF Planning and Development Subcommittee, Chuck Thurow chairman, meets at Hyde Park Art Center to receive and review comments on Guidelines for Harper Court-City Lot RFQ/RFP. (See at www.hydeparkchicago.org or www.vision53.org.) 5020 S. Cornell.

Bullet May 29 (tent.), Thursday, 7 pm. HPKCC Transit Task Force meets at the Neighborhood Club, 5480 S. Kenwood.

Bullet May 30, Friday, 6 pm. HPKCC Environmental Sustainability Committee meets in Treasure Island lower level, 1526 E. 55th St. SEEKING NEW MEMBERS. And we have a new chairman, Vicki Suchovsky. Won't you help us plan for a better future?

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 and is 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. Also announced was opening of a one-month comment period of a proposed set of guidelines for the future RFP, closing June 12 and online at www.hydeparkchicago.org and www.vision53.org. (Highlights will also be put on line in our Harper Court homepage.) Comments should be sent to ccs@ccstudioinc.com. Or shared at the May 27 TIF subcommittee meeting referenced above. A preliminary timetable was shared. Full coverage and analysis 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.

(Other happenings at the 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. Details will be in the TIF Council notes and minutes 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.

Bullet 53rd Street 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 on the May 3 Workshop. and our reports on the Dec. 8 meeting in 53rd Street page (link at start) and final in Dec. 8 2007 page.

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 (53rd/Harper) development

The mixed retail and office development,arrived at after a model RFP process and agreement between the University and Brinshore/Baum, calling for restoration of most of the facade and a redeveloped interior, is in haitus. The University of Chicago representative at the May 12 TIF meeting said the University is disappointed with developer slowness including in leasing and in meeting benchmarks. Harper Theater RFP page.

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. Read Doctors Hospital page.

Elsewhere (see Development details page): Large high-rise pushed in Indian Village despite opposition; St. Stephens development (5600 bl. Blackstone) seems on track provided it sells.

New Park Advisory Council Guidelines

New council guidelines were proposed by the Park District. Councils allowed to review the draft found them unacceptable. Councils met with the District April 4 and found substantial agreement and a collaborative process. How much there will be tightening up (and on what) and the degree there will be a substantially changed status and role for these community-based, mostly elected small organizations is to be determined. Stories and HPKCC letter to the park district- see Park Issues 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 summer 2008. 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.

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 schools 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. That on May 22 focuses on transportation, with service boards. 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."

Promontory Point

Design study funds with preservation standard mandated authorization was enacted into law and design may start late spring .Latest Details. See Scope of Work for Preservation-based independent review. Read HPKCC thoughts, letters and reports on the Point.

Vandalism in the Parks

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.

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.

Seniors perspectives, need for a neighborhood center converge in collaborative meeting, effort

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."

Parking and Transit

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? There are localized (but spreading?) pockets of drug and gathering/harassing activities in the neighborhood--but or 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.

Bullet General notices

The Fifth Ward Office of Alderman Leslie Hairston has moved to 2325 E. 71st St. Phone, email etc. remain the same.

Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference

About HPKCC

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 on June 5, 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 Web Survey on Harper Court Priorities and other steps in Harper Court and 53rd redevelopment. Final report is to be given at the May 12 TIF meeting, prelim. results at www.hydepark.org/survey.

Watch for our next forum.

Committee meetings: Envir. Sustain. June 27, 6 pm 5529 S. Lake Park. Schools June 15?, 7 pm 1448 E. 53rd. Transit May 29, 7 pm. Neighborhood Club.

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
R
ead most recently elected board member bios. Get your Reporter by first class mail by joining the Conference.
View the March 2008 Reporter in PDF.
Harper, Garden Fair, Parks, Schools...
December 2007 Reporter in pdf. 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 IN PDF.

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 16, Monday, 7 pm at United Church, 1448 E. 53rd Blackstone entry.

HPKCC Programs and News
Coalition for Equitable Community Development 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. Membership meeting May 14, 7 pm, Neighborhood Club.
Chicago Academic Games League 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 / Coops +

Photo of John BickleyCondos 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

Development and Zoning

The HPKCC Development, Preservation, Zoning Committee monitors and seeks proactive community input in general and localized development. The committee next reports on the Harper Court Web Survey at the May 12 TIF meeting, supports the May 3 53rd St. Vision Workshop II.

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.

Disabilities Task Force 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
Environmental Sustainability Task Force Our newest committee is Sustainable Environmental Action Task Force. To get involved contact Vijayarani Fedson. Committee page. Next meeting possibly Feb. 29.
The task force welcomes the launching of Partners for a Sustainable Chicago by UC's Civic Knowledge Project. Next meeting Friday, May 30, 6 pm, Treasure Island lower level, 1526 E. 55th St. SEEKING NEW MEMBERS. New committee chair, Vicki Suchovsky.
Three projects in the works: Setting up Low Carb Diet neighbor teams, a recycle-reuse-avoid flyer for stores, and an introduction and action forum on the City's upcoming Sustainable City Agenda plan.
Community Forums 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.
Hyde Park Garden Fair Preparation is under way for the May 16, 17 Spring Garden Fair. Visit the Garden Fair website for details. Our Garden Fair Committee page.
Nichols Park Advisory Council

Great Bird of Peace, Cosmo Campoli. Nichols fiedldhouse 53rd and KenwoodDedication 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 Committee

Two props (there are more) by Redmood theater for its September 15-25 "Loves Me-Loves Me  Not" spectacularParks 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 and Landmark Status

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.

Schools Committee

HPKCC Youth Programs Database 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. 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.

Transit Task Force

TTF: The HPKCC Transit and Mobility Task Force. Visit the Task Force homepage and its Transit web pages.
Next TTF meeting May 29 (tent.), Thursday, 7 pm, Neigh. Club

TIF Parking Committee bus. distr. recommendations, including a Transportation Enhancement (parking) district.
Hyde Park Used Book Sale

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 .

WhistleStop and Safety

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

Other Neighborhood Partners

Blackstone Library
Blue Gargoyle Youth Center sign
Hyde Park Historical Society headquarters

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
Visit their website for full schedule and descriptions.

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.

Community CalendarsSearch the Website with GoogleThanks to Our Friends and Supporters
Won't you join us and participate in our programs? Fill out the Membership Form, which can be sent on-line or printed and returned with your check. We welcome your suggestions and alerts, especially to hidden treasures and looming problems in the community: hpkcc@aol.com.
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