community letters
With significant changes facing 53rd Street in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood, the entire community of residents, business owners, elected officials, developers, and corporations have a vested interest in the outcomes. Would you like to share your opinion? Here are some of the letters we've received.
Sunday, May 05, 2013
I am pleased to lend my support for the Mobil site redevelopment. It
is a progressive step in the revitalization of 53rd Street and Hyde Park
as a whole. As a resident of Hyde Park for nearly 17 years who lives
within two blocks of the proposed development, I must say that I am
thrilled to know that the “void“ on 53rd Street will finally be filled
with much needed retail space, affordable housing and economic
opportunity. It takes affordable housing to maintain diversity in Hyde
Park and diversity is one of the reasons that my family planted our
roots in this community. I am looking forward to increased sidewalk
activity along 53rd Street connecting Lake Park to Woodlawn Avenue. The
new site will facilitate an increase in foot traffic along 53rd Street,
which will lend itself to a more vibrant and safe environment, improving
the quality of life in the area around it. And the new residences will
not only help support local retail, but will also increase activity in
the neighboring parks such as Nichols Park and Elm Park. It is also
wonderful that Mesa Development has agreed to construction hiring
practices that are favorable to women, minorities and local residents.
The vision for the future of 53rd Street is already in motion with the
new movie theater, new restaurants, a new hotel, a new music venue and a
variety of retailers to come. This is all very exciting! The addition
of the Mobil site development is the icing on the cake. So I hope that
you will approve the rezoning required for construction to start. Thank you for your dedication to the Hyde Park community.