Controversy continues over proposed plans for a new development at Hyde Park Square. Right now, a new movement ‘Save Hyde Park Square’ is gaining lots of support, as more than 1,000 people signed a petition saying the development is too big. Those in favor said it will be good for business and growth.”I think development and advancements are always exciting,” says long-time Hyde Park resident Katherine Leurck, “I just think that whoever develops needs to be respectful of the needs of the community.”The plan is to build a hotel, apartments and underground parking in Hyde Park Square, dividing opinions among neighbors and businesses. Michelle Randle, owner of Jacob James, a luxury fashion store on the square, saying she feels the proposed plans pros outweigh the cons.”We need to bring more people to the square. The square doesn’t have as many people as it did even five years ago when we opened our store,” Randle said.She says she wants to see business in the areas succeed and feels this will bring in more foot traffic.”A development and a hotel and more people to the square brings more people to our stores and our restaurants and our businesses,” says Randle.However, there are several small businesses on the square who are not in favor – namely those who received notices saying when construction begins, they’d need to relocate.”It’s just going to be sad. You know what I mean, with all the changes and everything that’s going on,” says Jim Young, owner of 45/46 Fine Men’s Apparel.He’s had his shop on the square for 15 years, but it will be demolished as part of the plans for development.”With the small businesses leaving, being pushed out or gone, it’ll be it’ll be tough,” says Young.During Tuesday night’s meeting, PLK – the company behind the project – broke down what they’re asking for.They want the hotel to have seven floors and the apartment building to be 85.5 feet tall, five feet taller than the current tallest building on the square. That’s garnering some backlash among neighbors.In addition to that, other concerns voiced at the meeting included more traffic and potential risks to pedestrian safety.
Controversy continues over proposed plans for a new development at Hyde Park Square.
Right now, a new movement ‘Save Hyde Park Square’ is gaining lots of support, as more than 1,000 people signed a petition saying the development is too big.
Those in favor said it will be good for business and growth.
“I think development and advancements are always exciting,” says long-time Hyde Park resident Katherine Leurck, “I just think that whoever develops needs to be respectful of the needs of the community.”
The plan is to build a hotel, apartments and underground parking in Hyde Park Square, dividing opinions among neighbors and businesses.
Michelle Randle, owner of Jacob James, a luxury fashion store on the square, saying she feels the proposed plans pros outweigh the cons.
“We need to bring more people to the square. The square doesn’t have as many people as it did even five years ago when we opened our store,” Randle said.
She says she wants to see business in the areas succeed and feels this will bring in more foot traffic.
“A development and a hotel and more people to the square brings more people to our stores and our restaurants and our businesses,” says Randle.
However, there are several small businesses on the square who are not in favor – namely those who received notices saying when construction begins, they’d need to relocate.
“It’s just going to be sad. You know what I mean, with all the changes and everything that’s going on,” says Jim Young, owner of 45/46 Fine Men’s Apparel.
He’s had his shop on the square for 15 years, but it will be demolished as part of the plans for development.
“With the small businesses leaving, being pushed out or gone, it’ll be it’ll be tough,” says Young.
During Tuesday night’s meeting, PLK – the company behind the project – broke down what they’re asking for.
They want the hotel to have seven floors and the apartment building to be 85.5 feet tall, five feet taller than the current tallest building on the square.
That’s garnering some backlash among neighbors.
In addition to that, other concerns voiced at the meeting included more traffic and potential risks to pedestrian safety.