More than 100 Hyde Parkers meet to look at the future of retail development in Hyde Park, Chicago.
Participants self-selected into 4 focus groups: Global Village, Transit and Access, Density (photo), and Urban Design.
Each group was led by a team of professionals in that particular field.
Groups first discussed interests and concerns.
Then they set out on a jaunty walk on a cool spring day, examining the streets and businesses of the neighborhood.
Participants were from all aspects of city life, including public officials, city employees, and "just-concerned" neighbors.
The 4 walks began from Kenwood High School, on 51st Street.
A typical example of good and bad: An old theatre space on 51st Street, with great potential, but shuttered windows.
Walking down 51st Street.
Past Kenwood Academy's solid brick wall, a rather "dead space" in the streetscape.
Across the street from Kenwood are several colorful businesses, good activity, but rather small scale.
The worst kind of blight on the streetscape, an empty storefront abutting the street, with paper over the windows.
Village Plaza, which is removed from the street and rather barren looking.
One of the worst corners in Hyde Park, with speeding traffic, too much bland signage, and no businesses.
The corner of 51st and Hyde Park Boulevard was a major point of conversation.
Participants discussed plans for improving the viaducts, then crossed the street.
Looking back, we could see the void down Lake Park Avenue.
On the east side of Lake Park are shuttered stores, giving a "homeless" feel to the streetscape.
Across from the shuttered Cornell Florists, Indian Village is in the process of a major makeover.
Another horrific intersection, 51st and Cornell. Equally awkward for cars, buses, bikes, and pedestrians.
A recurring theme of this walk was the interruption given by parking lots in the middle of a block. They interrupt the sidewalk, and create a deadening effect.
Another dead parking lot, with underscale and nonretail buildings.
Some of the most negative comments were expressed for this shopping center on 53rd and Hyde Park Blvd. Too low scale, needs residential, "was a mistake" (said by one of the HP Development Corp members who approved it).
Another view on an empty, under-used expanse.
Another awful intersection, at 53rd and Lake Park.
One of the worst building in Hyde Park! Too small, too low-scale, too out-of-character. Dark, cluttered, and a homeless heaven.
A nicely scaled area, but difficult to develop.
Buildings that just don't work on 53rd Street. Low, modern brick buildings, or split structures (the old Woolworth store) with no visual appeal.
Terrific vintage buidlings with great architectural detail, but not particularly appealing in current state.
Another "killer" parking lot at 53rd and Dorchester.
Former home of McDonalds, now an empty eyesore.
The Mobil Station adjacent to the old McDonald's, jointly called the McMobil site for planned development.
This may be the next "bone of contention" after Harper Court, as there are many different visions of what is appropriate for this space.
The Density group had a lengthy discussion (disagreement) over what should happen here, as shown by Stephanie Franklin's animated face (right).
On the walk back to Kenwood, we again passed very large, very empty-feeling parking lots on the street corners. This one is owned by the University of Chicago.
As is this one across the street.
A better view of the vast size of this parking lot.
Finally, a lovely view of Hyde Park's urban environment at it's loveliest!
