Update on Hedgeman's proposed hotel zoning hearing

The initial hearing had been held recently at City Hall an update provided by a Greater Chatham Alliance e-mail blast.

• Update on the 76th State Street Hotel Zoning Hearing meeting held on Friday, September 18t at City Hall.
  
  The zoning hearing on the hotel was continued until: December 18th at 2:00 p.m. in City Hall, room 200.
  
  This request was officially made to the zoning board by Alderman Sawyer. The Alderman wants the developer to provide more documents and information about his proposed hotel, which is rumored to be a franchise or branded hotel.
  
  According to Alderman Sawyer, he has not received any new, or updated presentations regarding Mr. Hedgeman’s hotel proposal.
  
  The Alderman said at the zoning meeting that he was not opposed to a hotel; but, he added, the hotel had to be a branded franchise (I.e., Holiday Inn, Best Western, Marriott, Ramada, La Quinta or Embassy Suites for example).
  
  Approximately 35 to 40 people from the community were present. At the next zoning meeting in December, GCA hopes three or four times this amount of residents attend: we need to make sure the zoning board understands what the community wants!
  
  Ms. Helena Haley, President of 75th, 76th, 77th, 78th Wabash Block Club, is currently in the process of planning a community Town Hall meeting to work on a strategy for going forward.
  
  This meeting is tentatively slated for October.
  
  Be on the lookout for the October Town Hall meeting’s when, where and time.
  
  Attached, you will find a letter that was submitted to the City’s Zoning board by Mrs. Haley’s group.

EDIT: Forgot to post that letter. Here it is below

Zoning hearing for proposed Herbert Hedgeman hotel near 76th & State

Rendering of Hedgeman's Hotel

Forgot to note this. A zoning hearing is coming up on September 18th this Friday regarding that proposed hotel near 76th & State Streets. Information below is from a Greater Chatham Alliance e-mail blast:

• Chatham and other 6th Ward Neighbors:
  
  First of all, we are sorry to report that Mr. Hedgeman, the developer for the 7600 S. State street hotel site, has gotten a zoning hearing meeting scheduled.
  
  You know what this means. WE BETTER HAVE 50 OR MORE FOLKS THERE TO SPEAK UP ABOUT IT! Don't come--- or urge your neighbors to attend-- then don't whine if the developer pushes that hotel through!
  
  Here is the zoning meeting info:
  
  Zoning Board of Appeals
  Public Hearing for Hotel Proposal of 90 rooms, 5 stories tall and 80 parking spaces
  7621-7639 S. State Street
  Friday, September 18, 2015 9 a.m. SHARP
  City Hall,
  121 N. LaSalle Street Room 200
  
  Dial 311 if you have questions on where to park

For additional background to this hotel read Worlee's post from about the proposal.

Recap of Townhall Meeting on "Park Manor Inn Hotel Development on 76th State

City of Chicago Planning & Development-Dept, Hedgeman Development, African American Hotel Owners Association for Mr. Higginbottom,development architects and attorneys came out originally to Urban Partnership Bank for a meeting with the residents of #Chatham and #Park Manor to discuss a new updated proposal for what they are terming the "Park Manor Inn. Because of a 200+ turnout the meeting had to be moved to St Dorothy Church to accommodate all the residents. Alderman Roderick T. Sawyer was the facilitator of the meeting. 

The developers representative Mr. Price opened the meeting discussing why they wanted to place the Hotel on 76th State and that there were several African American owned hotels in the city which include the Hyde Park Hyatt Regency. My Price was followed by the architect who gave details of the proposal. The hotel that they would like to build is a $10.0 million, 5 story,90 room facility with a fitness and business center, meeting rooms and a full service 100 seat restaurant on the ground level. The architect explained that the building is an all brick building with metal accents and would be in the front of the lot with landscaped parking in the rear. The attorney from Neal & associates stated that the developers need a zoning change from the city council and a special use permit because it is a hotel which is initially approved on the local level. The City of Chicago planning department explained the zoning requirements for the project. Lastly, State Representative Elgie Sims thanked the audience for coming out and being part of the process. 

The floor was opened for questions. The questions went across the spectrum. There were those who believed that there was no demand for the facility and that individuals would not wish to stay there because of some articles and television stories by the traditional media. The developer stated that they felt that hey could successfully attract business clients who travel down the Dan Ryan or attending conventions at McCormick. Also, the question came up about Mr. Hedgeman's owning the Barbara Ann and Sportsman's Motels. Mr Hedgeman stated he has not owned the Barbara Ann and that any illegal activities that went on did not happen while he owed it. He also stated that the Sportsmans is in a state of disrepair because he is waiting on TIF funds to do a complete renovation. Mr. Price stated that there were not pursiung the "nighttime motel" market and the rates that are expected to start at $80-$120 will deter that market. Others asked about African American participation asit relates to construction and operations. Mr. Hedgeman stated he plans to work with African Americans from start to finish but would not be specific about which companies he plans to use. Although the attorney present was not African American it was stated he is an attorney at an African American law firm. There were several individuals with hotel management experience who asked some detailed questions on feasibility and payback period. Mr. Hedgeman would not be specific on these issues. The 6th Ward Republican Organization represented by Mr. Darnell Macklin raised concerns about a community benefit agreement and a firm commitment on African American participation in the construction. Also, there were some who questioned why the hotel was not going to be location of a major hotel chain versus being independent. 

Of course, we could not have a meeting without grandstanders. While the individuals who are vying to be the next Alderman of the 6th ward were present. One felt being a pompous ass, Community, Families, Friends, and Delton "Jerry" Pierce felt that this was a forum to grandstand and announce that he wants to run for alderman. His statement angered many as well as some of the politicians in the room laughed at his buffoonery and disrespect for the audience. Also, some individuals used this as a meeting to talk about other issues in the ward. 

Overall it was a well attended meeting with individuals both pro and con. The presidents of Park Manor Neighbors, Chatham Avalon Park Community Council, Chesterfield Community Council and Greater Chatham Alliance were all present and they and their respective organizations will all have additional meetings and inform Alderman Sawyer whether their organizations feel that the project should move forward or die. 

Additional pictures at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=...

I think someone wrote this comment about the proposed hotel in the wrong post

I was recently notified of this comment in moderation. They posted this in another post with regards to the responsiveness of city alderman instead of the post about the proposed hotel near 76th and State:

Can anyone attending that meeting honestly say they felt comfortable with the answers (or lack of) the two of them were expressing? They both have shady business backgrounds and one is a convicted felon. Do you honestly think they have this community's best interest at heart Mr. President of CAPCC???

That comment was too golden not to post although unfortunately I don't know why this wasn't posted in the hotel posts. Especially the video recap produced by Zack Isaacs.

You know I just want to remind everyone of our moderating policy and the tutorial on posting with a nickname. We would prefer there NOT be any anonymous comments here, although we won't delete them as long as they're in the proper posts. In addition, before you comment please be sure you're commenting in the appropriate post that addresses the issue you want to speak on!

Other than that any more comments on the CAPCC and this proposed hotel? You can talk about that here!

VIDEO: Chatham Residents Debate Black Hotel Proposal

This video of last night's meeting at Northern Trust Bank near 79th and State is presented to us by Zack Isaacs.

Proposed hotel on 76th & state - meeting TONIGHT!

Found this info from flyers found yesterday...

Tonight, CAPCC is hosting a meeting which includes a proposed hotel on State street, between 76th & 77th, next to the gas station.

There was a lack of information of this meeting on the Chatham Avalon Park Community Council blog, despite the fact that CAPCC President Keith Tate is also the chairman for sub-area I, where this takes place.

The enclosed flyer from the Michigan Indian Association details some of the issues the community may have with the project. These include the fact that the developers are elderly gentlemen. One of them owns the Barbara Ann motel.

Certainy one other issue would be the location. While it is located by the Dan Ryan (which is good), and not too far from the 79th street El Station, the lot is situated between streets, with a gas station taking up any entrance form 76th, making it a bit harder for cars to enter the proposed complex.

Is this a good move? Already, there is the Legacy Project slated for 85th & the Dan Ryan. There's been talk about adding a hotel as part of a proposed development (including Wal Mart) in Alderman Beale's 9th ward.

Even the CAPCC blog has suggested a hotel at 79th & State!

Certainly the initially proposed Legacy project sounds like a good idea (i.e. that it is more than just a hotel, but also convention site, church & entertainment center), but how about the others?

Look for a future blog entry on hotels & motels (including a comparison of North Side & South Side). There are obvious problems and dangers, but also some potential benefits if planned correctly.