Reports from the South Side

Get a QuoteView from my WindowKOCO

Special Service Area #61
Serving "Downtown Hyde Park"

Special Service Areas, known as Business Improvement Districts in other cities, are local tax districts that fund expanded services and programs through a local property tax levy within contiguous areas. The enhanced services and programs are in addition to those currently provided through the City.

SSA-funded projects typically include public way maintenance and beautification; district marketing and advertising; business retention/attraction, special events and promotions; bike transit; security; façade improvements; and commercial and economic development initiatives.

The City contracts with local nonprofits, called Service Providers, to manage SSAs. Mayorally-appointed SSA Commissioners for each SSA district oversee and recommend the annual services, budget, and Service Provider Agency to the City. There are currently 53 active SSAs in Chicago. [See cityofchicago.org, downtownhydeparkchicago.org] Upcoming meetings are July 26 @ 11am; August 23 @ 11am; September 27 @ 11am; October 25 @ 7pm; November – No Meeting; December 13 @ 11am

2023 Commissioners:

Greg Guttman (Chair) - MAC Properties
Nancy Stanek (Treasurer) - Toys Et Cetera
Anthony Beach - Hotel Sophy
Angie Marks - VP, UChicago Real Estate Operations
Shaka Mitchell - Anthos Training
Charles Newsome - Kimbark Plaza
James Nurss - First Aid Comics
Mary Rogel - East Point Associates
George Rumsey (Past Chair) - Computer Resource Center, Inc.

South East Chicago Commission, Service Provider Agency
Diane Burnham, Executive Director
Rod Sawyer, SSA Program Administrator
Raymonde Vance, SSA Recording Secretary

Map of the SSA 61 Footprint

George leads a walking tour of Nichols Part for the Chicago Hyde Park Village, July 8, 2022.

Hyde Park-Kenwood Residents

George talks U of C and "preservation."
Maroon Gray City Looks at HP Development:
The University, its real estate, and Hyde Park retail

Chicago City Council and
Alderman Leslie Hairston (5th Ward):
City Resolution Honoring George Rumsey

      Save the Point AGAIN

          Promontory Point Conservancy spends the 4th of July 2022 with Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Alderman Leslie Hairston, walking the Point in order to discuss its preservation and restoration (Twitter photo from Tina Hone, Chief Engagement Officer for the Mayor; shown are Debra Hammond, Jack Spicer, Mayor Lori Lightfoot, and George Rumsey).

           

          Frank Lloyd Wright in Kenwood

    The Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference sponsored an informational forum on the Frank Lloyd Wright homes in South Kenwood in December, 2013. See hpkcc.wordpress.com for more information.

    Affordable Rental Housing in HP-K

The Coalition for Equitable Community Development unveils a detailed study of rental housing in Hyde Park and South Kenwood.
Read the executive summary Read the full report

55th Street Accessibility

On Saturday, June 16, 2012, the Hyde Park Disabibilities Task Force sponsored a "Walk and Roll" down 55th Street, identifying issues of accessibility and safety. Read the full disabilities report