Hyde Park Community Holds High Hopes for New Shopping Center

Residents of Hyde Park reviewed plans for redeveloping the Harper Court Shopping Center and offered suggestions as to what should be included in the new plans during an April 9 meeting.

Some asked questions about the sustainability of new and existing businesses during redevelopment while others questioned the developer about landscape within a proposed courtyard. Speakers supported the construction of a movie theater, as well as a safe and well-lit evening environment.

With development as an expected issue at a May 12 Advisory Council meeting, the proposed plans have no definite date for completion. Harper Court was established 30 years ago in Hyde Park on Harper Avenue between 52nd and 53rd Streets. It contains a number of shops and restaurants, many independently-owned.

At the meeting, Hyde Park resident and urban planner Aaron Cook presented rough plans of what the redeveloped area could look like. Projecting an aerial view of the site on the wall, Cook also posted his proposed idea for a new Harper Court. The new space would offer a connection to 53rd Street, unlike the existing design. It would also include shaded courtyard seating and a fountain, as well as new buildings with business storefronts and residential space starting on the second floor and above.

Cook, a partner at Romero Cook Design Studio, said because he lives in Hyde Park and understands the needs of the neighborhood.

“I live in Hyde Park, I complain about Hyde Park, I know what it’s like. I think that makes me more qualified to do this job,” he said.

Some oppose the suggested developments, hinting that it may hurt existing businesses in the area. Some older residents seemed to oppose the addition of affordable housing.

Betsie Zerlin, 74, said she wanted to see an arcade built to provide entertainment for residents during the winters. After seeing Cook’s presentation, Zerlin said, “I love the design and am very enthusiastic about new developments.”

She also called for more shade in the proposed courtyard. Zerlin, a member of OWL, The Older Women’s League, wanted more “senior-friendly” areas and activities in Hyde Park. Cook promised that the redevelopment plans would move forward, adding, “This will happen – soon.”

The Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference hosted the meeting in the Hyde Park Neighborhood Club at 5480 S. Kenwood Ave. HPKCC President George W. Rumsey announced the preliminary results of an online survey conducted from Feb. 20 through March 24, asking participants to rate the importance of various redevelopment goals and components

“One of the items I was most pleased with was that over 50 percent of the respondents were below the age of 40, which is unusual for Hyde Park,” Rumsey said. “We used an online survey to tap into a younger audience.”

Further breakdown of demographics shows that of the 1,697 respondents, 67 percent were Caucasian, while 19 percent were black and three percent were Latino. Of the respondents, 63 percent were female and nearly half of all respondents earn an annual income of $75,000 or more.

The survey results listed participants’ priorities. Well-lit nighttime ambiance and restaurants ranked as the two most important aspects of development, earning 93 percent and 89 percent of respondents’ votes, respectively. Affordable housing and residential areas were at the bottom of the list, with 23 percent and 18 percent of votes, respectively.