REVISIT: Where is Roseland Heights?

This was posted to The Sixth Ward Blog on March 5, 2012 not long after the ward remap at the time. The topic of Roseland Heights being recognized was a topic of discussion within the Roseland Heights Community Association then.

I attended the recent Roseland Heights Neighborhood Association meeting where they discussed a number of topics that affected that particular community. It could be about landscaping, street lighting, trash, fly dumping, parks, ect. But they devoted a lot of time to the recognition of Roseland Heights.

At their November meeting they devoted a lot of time to address the remap situation. One of the subjects that came up was the recognition of neighborhoods. Look at any current map of Chicago neighborhoods or even the community area maps and Roseland Heights (which is bounded by 95th on the north, Dan Ryan Expressway on the west, Bishop Ford/Calumet Expressway on the south, and King Drive on the east)  is not to be found. The maps are made up by the city, the community area maps were created originally by the University of Chicago, and another map made up by the real estate businesses.

The maps change when the city recognizes a particular area. They may also change when real estate people decide to distinguish an area from the surrounding area. For example you build some new houses in Englewood, you may not like the general reputation of Englewood so you would elect to give your development a new name. One that is marketable!

That may well have been the case in Roseland Heights but then that neighborhood organization has been in existence since at least 1956. So why is it that particular neighborhood isn't recognized at all?

But then apparently there is another thread. It seems on a past map - according to association president Clevan Tucker - Roseland Heights did exist. He was looking up information regarding Abbott Park and he threw out the names of Olympia Park or Champion Park and I'll just assume those are the original designation for Abbott Park near 95th & Michigan.

However old that map was, what happened between now and then where Roseland Heights lost their recognition? Oh and I forgot to add that Roseland Heights according to a neighborhood map provided by the city is considered part of Rosemoor. I took a detail of that map and put an image here.

Also notice the thin Strip of Roseland in light green that comes on the west up to 95th Street. The western part appears to be State Street and the eastern part is Michigan Avenue and then it widens out by 107th Street. The purple shade is Roosemoor which does include most of Roseland Heights and Chicago State University.

95th/State on February 1, 2021

 

[VIDEO] I shot this video after the snowfall of January 30 & 31, 2021. You see a mini-loader on this day removing snow on the sidewalks around the former gas station and polish sausage stand. Basically shoveling the snow and dumping it onto the vacant lot behind the fence.

You also see what I showed in a video from 2016, the lot along State Street near the 95th Red Line terminal is now vacant any of the longtime structures that were there are now a memory. Now the next question is what's next on that corner.

Food pantry coming to 119 E. 95th Street #Ward09

119-121 E. 95th St

This building has been vacant perhaps for over a year it was formerly home to an insurance company, and for many years before that it used to be a Trailways bus depot until that company got bought out by Greyhound. Of course that was at least back in the 1990s. Now it has another hat:

Endeleo Institute, a community group in the majority-Black Washington Heights and Roseland neighborhoods on the city’s Far South Side, received a grant that will allow it to open a food pantry at 119-121 E. 95th St., in a 3,500-square-foot building that once housed an insurance business.

“It’s going to be nothing like a traditional food pantry,” said Executive Director Melvin Thompson. “We really want to dignify the space, to destigmatize this.”

It will be a choice pantry, where people can select what they want. The plan is to offer cooking demonstrations, nutrition education and a financial opportunity center to help people with budgeting.

The building sits on a 12,000-square-foot lot and the hope is to eventually bring a mobile pharmacy to fill a gap left by the closure of several neighborhood pharmacies over the years, Thompson said.

“We really want to take advantage of people coming through the door and fortifying them beyond food but with things that will help them along the way,” Thompson said. He expects to serve 500 to 1,000 people weekly.

West Chesterfield and Roseland Heights Community Associations will partner with Endelo who is affiliated with Trinity Church further west on 95th Street per an e-mail that was forwarded to me.

The main thing is those who aren't able to put food on the table will have somewhere else to go to fill their pantries in their homes. 

Shedd School still serves its purpose

I remember many days spend in Shedd's cramped library. The books I remember checking out of the library under a man named Mr. Hackenbrock were mainly sports books - usually old books with black & white photographs underlying the sports of basketball, baseball, hockey or even boxing also a book showing how to draw animals. 

During our library period we also played computer games on IBM computers carted out into our gym/library. These were some fun interesting days.

What if I told on Shedd's lot there is a box full of books where you're allowed to leave a book and you can take a book. These types of book boxes exist throughout the city and its located on the playset on 99th Street. So adults and youth alike can come up to Shedd at anytime to entertain themselves or otherwise educate themselves outside of a classroom.

I snapped a few shots when dropping off books there. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Sixth Ward (@thesixthward) on Oct 9, 2020 at 8:14am PDT

There is no longer a cramped library inside the school since it's been closed but you can still pick up a book or leave a book by Shedd School (at 200 E. 99th Street) anytime.

Open House 34th District Office #twill

If you live in the 34th state house district, you can visit the open house for the 34th District Office located at 113 E. 95th Street, Suite A on Saturday, September 7, 2019 from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 PM.

Want to learn more about state Rep. Nick Smith visit his website at RepSmith34.com

A New Abbott Park Advisory Council

49 E 95th St

Got this in an e-mail from the West Chesterfield Community Association. The Abbott Park Advisory Council fired up this past spring and are certainly looking not for people to attend especially if you live nearby. They're especially looking for people to serve on the council and as officers.

• A New Abbott Park Advisory Council

  The Chicago Parks Consortium, West Chesterfield, Roseland Hts and Red Line Extension Coalition (RLEC) helped organize a New Abbott Park Advisory Council and invite your to attend its 6:30 p.m. meeting July, 18, 2018 in the Abbott Park Field House.
  
  These organizations thank the Chicago Park District (CPD) for addressing many Abbott Park operation service requests since the September 19, 2017 CPD Budget Hearing Meeting. The community would like Abbott Park and the 95th Street area to be a “Preferred Point of Destination” that has good business neighbors, level 1 schools, a great park… all of which will improve area walkability and the use of public transportation within the ¼ mile to ½ mile transit-oriented development area of the at the $280 million 95th CTA Terminal.
  
  Since 2017 the CPD planted 140 new trees at Abbott Park, installed Exterior Lights on the field house, trimmed Low tree branches, planted 1040 trees, install a new sink and water heater and drain pipe in the cultural center, repaired park benches and under ground pipes have been repaired in the center field of the.
  
  Michael LaFargue, Chicago Parks Consortium president, congratulates Ms. Lori Burns and Sharon Banks Pincham, Co-Chair’s of the Park Advisory Council for Abbott Park. The PAC is working on its by-laws and goals for the next year.

BTW, I wanted to explore this but will do so at a later time even if it's already a done deal. There is an old playlot on 98th & Michigan that has long since been dismantled and has often seen little activity. Perhaps someone might have a picnic there rarely and sometimes more frequently grown folks or Harlan student just loitering there.

All the same, there is finally a plan to turn this former playlot into a dog park that should've been debated at the last Roseland Heights Community Association meeting in June. I should ask for an update although unfortunately I didn't attend this meeting to observe the results. Though I hope to talk more about this soon and I'm sure this is a topic of conversation at the Abbott Park Advisory Council also.

I even took some more pics recently of the playlot close to 10 years after snapping some shots there as the future of this lot was still uncertain!

From Playlot on 98th/Michigan

Future Ald. Beale town halls #Ward09 #BuildingwithBeale

Ooops, I've done pretty badly with Ald. Anthony Beale's town halls having only attended two in recent years. So here are a list of remaining meetings for the rest of the year with a break in August and of course taking a break for the rest of the year after October.

Unlike former 6th Ward Ald. Fredrenna Lyle his office doesn't seem to announce who'll be speaking before hand. However he does have various officials with city government and some people from the community talking about what they're doing for their neighborhoods. It's worthwhile to come pay a visit. Of course he'll have his ward superintendent which was formerly Nicholas Smith who's now a state representative give updates from the streets and sanitation side.

The two times I attended a former police officer talked about utilizing local high school students to help paint murals. Another time representatives from the Chicago Transit Authority gave us an update on the future red line extension. Like I said these are worthwhile meetings to attend.

All of Ald. Beale's town halls or community meetings are held every 4th Tuesday starting at 6:30 PM at the Pullman Presbyterian Church 550 E. 103rd Street. Call his office at (773) 785-1100

BTW, I have to admit that I liked the branding the office seemed to have started "town halls" as opposed to "community meetings". Perhaps I'm being a tad nit-picky, but as far as an event discussing ward issues I just like town hall better than a community meeting. Anyway just my two cents that no one asked for... :P

sixthward.us

Suspect charged in shooting of officer during foot chase in Roseland Heights

[VIDEO] Remember last Thursday I posted about a police involved shooting near Chicago State University. Well suspect in custody and again this explains that helicopter on Wednesday night.

Suspect charged in shooting of officer during foot chase https://t.co/ZtAKECrCOl pic.twitter.com/JhBkhGQRg5

— ABC 7 Chicago (@ABC7Chicago) December 8, 2017

Anthony Woodridge, 25, was charged with two felony counts of attempted first degree murder, one felony count of aggravated discharge of a firearm, and one felony count of aggravated battery by discharge of a firearm.

The Chicago police officer was shot late Wednesday night while trying to catch up with the suspect, who was on the run on the city's South Side.

Plainclothes officers from the Calumet District were conducting a street stop just before 11:30 p.m. near East 95th Street and South Martin Luther King Drive in Chicago's Rosemoor neighborhood, police said. That led to a foot chase.

During the pursuit, Woodridge allegedly turned in the direction of the officers and fired, hitting one of the officers in the hand. Officials say Woodridge continued firing while the officer was on the ground. The injured officer and partner returned fire, and Woodridge was unhurt.

Police were able to catch the suspect, and a gun was found at the scene.

The wounded officer will thankfully be OK!

CBS Chicago: Chicago Cop Shot In The Hand During Chase In Rosemoor

[VIDEO] This is why I heard the helicopter in my neighborhood last night? A police officer was shot near Chicago State University last night.

Officer was said to be fine after being shot in hand and one suspect in custody. Another piece of trivia is that the incident actually took place in Roseland Heights. Rosemoor is the neighborhood across the Bishop Ford Expressway to the south.

Wendy's coming to 95th/Michigan?

Worlee wrote this over at NextDoor recently

107 E. 95th Street - June 2017

• Where o Where Will Wendy's Go

  
  
  The plot thickens. There is an unverified report that Wendy's will take over the former KFC site at 95th Michigan. 
  
  
  Also, it has been reported that Wendy's will be opening a store at the 87th street retail corridor. 
  
  
  So will we have two stores opening? Will we have 4 stores in a 5mile radius with the existing stores at 86th Stony and 83rd Ashland? 
  
  
  What's your thoughts?

In addition there's also a Wendy's at 111th/State in Roseland. Also let's not forget that the former Wendy's at 95th/King Drive still hasn't found another tenant yet. Though it's great to finally have a new business in the former KFC space which closed permanently near the end of 2015. Here's one of our ig posts.

I don't know what is going on here but this KFC at 95th/Michigan is now closed. #kfc #kentuckyfriedchicken #southside #chicagogram #95thstreet #businessclosed

A post shared by The Sixth Ward (@thesixthward) on Dec 17, 2015 at 8:23am PST

 

The Walgreen's on 95th & King Drive is closing

In about one month the Walgreen's location at 347 E. 95th Street will be closed permanently on June 27, 2016. It'll just be another vacant storefront just like the former Wendy's across the street on 95th.

The flyer you see below is seen on a table as you enter the store and signs are posted in that location alerting customers of the impending closing. This particular space had only been open for roughly a decade.

Took these shots of the Shedd School property

On my walk to Pullman a few days ago. It was a wet rainy day as depicted in these photos. The first two pics are of the front one is similar to the shot you see in the blog's header.

200 E. 99th Street

200 E. 99th Street

Here's the backlot a field that I used to play around in during recess and of course before school started the kids would play in this field also. Fun days and sadly no longer common. I'll explain after this pic.

Looking from 98th & Indiana

Shedd School has been closed since about 2013 and the local community organization Roseland Heights Community Association has been concerned about a zoning change for this property. It has been zoned for industrial use and therefore a concern is now seen over this greenspace just a block away from Michigan Avenue.

As a former student there, it's unfortunate that classes are no longer held here. However, my hope is that the greenspace remains for the community. If the building remains then it shall be used for the benefit of the community.

Sidenote - I've been using this accessory on my smartphone called an olliclip. Basically this is something you can slip onto your iPhone, iPad or Android devices and take shots with various lenses to enhance your mobile photography. That's why one of the pics above seem unusual.

Harlan Community Education Advisory Committee. #harlanfalcons

Photo credit Levois J.

Received this e-mail from the President of the Roseland Heights Community Association. Interesting
development, and I'm hoping the surround community would be willing to be involved with Harlan Community Academy High School:

• Hello Everyone,
  
  
  As you may be aware, Harlan High School has a new prinicipal. She has asked for community support to lead the school to good standing status.
  
  I have spoken with many of you about the importance of the schools in our community. The challenge facing Harlan requires a concerted effort and our support to reach the level of performance that is evident in a school, parents and community working together.
  
  You are being invited to be a member of the Community Education Advisory Committee. Communities invited to attend represent Chesterfield, Roseland Heights, Rosemoor, Vernon Park and West Chesterfield.
  
  The meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 at 4:30pm at the West Chesterfield Community Center, 9351 S. Michigan.
  
  If you are Community Association President receiving this email and you have an association member who is serving as the education liaison for your organization, please feel free to extend this invitation to them also. If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call at 312-972-8239.
  
  I look forward to our meeting. Thank you in advance for your anticipated participation and cooperation.
  
  Sincerely,
  

  
  Sharon Banks-Pincham

Now I wonder whatever came of Principal Reginald Evans. Where is he today?

PHOTO: Public notice at Shedd School

On Friday afternoon, I decided to take snapshots around Shedd School on my cell phone. The photo above is one of those shots which shows a public notices regarding a zoning change filed by 9th Ward Alderman Anthony Beale. If you want more info on this zoning change click here it will show the date of a zoning hearing to occur on August 27, 2015.

The snapshot seen on a preceeding post is of the Shedd School building itself taken also on Friday afternoon regarding the surrounding community's talks with the Alderman regarding Shedd's zoning.

Zoning hearing regarding Shedd School

200 E. 99th Street - Shedd School

Below is a letter we just received recently alerting us to a public zoning hearing on August 27, 2015 at city hall. It's is regarding the zoning of Shedd School which will go from residential zone to a manufacturing zone. To put this into further perspective consider this community e-mail blast that I had posted last week. This letter also note that those concerned will have an opportunity to address the zoning committee and to also forward any questions to Alderman who proposed this zoning change. That Alderman in this case being Anthony Beale.

Zoning Shedd School by Levois

What about Shedd?

Closed Shedd School

Found this in an e-mail blast, more news about the closed Shedd School in Roseland Heights at 200 E. 99th St.:

• Thanks to all who attended the 9th Ward meeting last night.
  
  The table I was sitting at did not get cards to write questions for [Alderman Anthony Beale]. I was given cards after I asked , but they were never picked up! Others told me they were not given cards also.
  
  However the alderman did answer the question about the Business Zone being put on the school. He said he did that because no business would want that location and it would stop others from buying it until he could discuss want the community wanted in the location. Really???
  
  These former schools sites are not being sold to meet the needs of the community, they are being sold to meet the needs of CPS...money, money, money!
  
  A CPS CEO says “While there is still work to be done, we are working deliberately to ensure former schools sites bring value to CPS and their local communities for years to come.” ...and the game goes on.

Here are some related posts on the news related to Shedd School.

FYI: Bennett Elementary Parent Advisory Council Meeting

Bennett School - 10112 S. Prairie Ave.

 Received this e-mail on Sunday. Hopefully there is some interest in attending this meeting:

• Bennett Elementary Parent Advisory Council is sending an invitation to the Roseland community organizer to join our first meeting on March 6, 2015 at 6pm. As the new chairwoman, I will like to provide our parents with the best support from Bennett P.A.C, 9th Ward Alderman, and community organizers of Roseland Heights.
  
  
  Bennett Elementary Parent Advisory Council Meeting
  Bennett Elementary School
  10112 S. Prairie Ave.
  Chicago, IL 60628
  March 6, 2015
  6:00 pm
  
  Thank you,
  
  P.A.C Chairwoman
  Mattie Carter
  M.A. Geography Economic Development
  Certified Community Developer
  
  

VIDEO: Aldertrack interview of candidate for 9th ward Alderman

[VIDEO] Today Aldertrack's Mike Fourcher conducts an interview with candidate Michael LaFargue. LaFargue is running for Alderman who hopes to replace the current Alderman Anthony Beale.

LaFargue notes that he's very active in the community having memberships in different organizations throughout the community. He's especially a member and President of the West Chesterfield Community Association. He also noted that he's involved with a Developing Communities Project committee for the CTA Red Line extension.

In addition to discussing his background he also discusses his plans as Alderman of the 9th Ward in addition to his plans for the rest of the city. The duration of this video is about 10 minutes.

BTW, I do hope to discuss a lot more of the red line extension as I have discussed this a lot in the past over at The Sixth Ward. I think the communities south of 95th could benefit when ever this rail line is finally built.

ALSO, you should check out Aldertrack and sign up for their e-mail list to get regular updates on news in the 2015 city elections. In addition to purchasing the racing form to keep track of who's running where in Chicago.

Would anything Mr. LaFargue has stated in this video persuade you to cast a ballot for him next month?

Follow-up to Dec. 15, 2014 Shedd School meeting

Closed Shedd School @ 200 E. 99th St.

Sharon Banks-Pincham is not only a resident of West Chesterfield, she is also an local school council member at Harlan Community Academy who I've had the chance to meet when I attended LSC meetings there. She sent me an e-mail regarding what happened at the Shedd School meeting with 9th Ward Alderman Anthony Beale on December 15, 2015. For additional context here is a link to the notice that I had recieved via e-mail not long before that meeting.

DNA Info did their own follow-up from that meeting we shared that here.

• Every e-mail I received indicated it was open to the public. As you know, I am LSC Community Rep for Harlan and Gillespie. I do have contact with Roseland Heights as it relates to Harlan. In addition, I am a member of the Far South Community Action Council, the Education Committee for the 34th Legislative District and a member of the Education Village Keepers (EdVK). I responded by going to the meeting, arrived at the appointed time and even had a first year college student with me who is interested in going into politics. (Home from college on Christmas break).
  
  After we were all seated in the basement of the office, I was beckoned by Mr. Tucker to the stairs. He stated that Mr. Beale had an issue with my being there because I do not reside in Roseland Heights.
  
  I did not understand, so I did go upstairs to speak to the alderman's staff. Ms. Vanessa Brown, very gruffly stated that the meeting was for Roseland Heights residents only and I would have to leave. I explained to Ms. Brown my affiliations and my concern regarding the plans for Shedd.
  
  (Now, I want you to remember that on your notification, it stated that a presenter at this meeting would be Education Village Keepers/EdVK)
  
  At this point, the President of EdVK, Dr. Carmen Palmer, came into the office and was also told that she was not allowed in the meeting by Ms. Brown because she did not live in Roseland Heights. Dr. Palmer pointed out that she had been invited as a presenter, did have family property in Roseland Heights which she pays taxes on every year. Ms. Brown became more hostile and then closed a gate to the basement to further avoid our entry.
  
  I did not want to cause the meeting to be canceled due to the alderman's ridiculous request because I believe Roseland Heights did need to know the rationale for Alderman Beale to renege on his word regarding having community input for the use of Shedd. (He did share that promise at a Far South CAC meeting in October).
  
  The following day was the Far South CAC's regular December meeting. During that meeting, a representative of the alderman's office shared with other CAC members that two of the CAC members attempted to disrupt a meeting at his office and police had to be called.
  
  This is a disgrace and a shame. When the alderman has a meeting where all notices state that the meeting is open to the community and then restricts members of the community from attending.
  
  And, Levois, to let you know we were specifically targeted, Darnell Macklin, republican committeeman for the 6th ward, remained in the meeting after Dr. Palmer and I were ejected. Also, the student who came with me was ejected.
  
  I do like Darnell so my reference to him is not implying anything except that this was a targeted strike by the alderman. Petty and divisive.

DNA Info: Residents Rip CPS' Rejection of Private School's Offer To Buy Vacant School

Levois J of The Sixth Ward :P

So the fight continues over what to do with the closed Shedd School - 200 E. 99th St. Shedd was closed in 2013 due to declining enrollment having been used as a branch of the larger Bennett School located at 10115 S. Prairie Ave.

Recently there was a meeting held at the office of 9th Ward Alderman Anthony Beale. It was advertised here on Saturday and this DNA Info article discusses the debate over the sale of Shedd.

The neighborhood of Roseland Heights had been in support of a religious school ultimately moving into the former school apparently CPS accepted the bid of a real estate developer. Needless to say the leaders of the Roseland Heights Community Association wasn't too happy about this development. Here's why:

In fact, Patricia Hernandez, an official with CPS' Department of Procurement, told the group that Shedd's sale wasn't technically part of those being repurposed in the June 2013 closings. Therefore, "soliciting community input is not required or incorporated into this process," a Dec. 9 email to the Roseland group states.

The email stated that the district was required by law to take the highest bidder.

"If that is true, why did they tell the Rescue Missionary School something different?" Tucker asked. "Why did they say they needed community approval?"

CPS officials did not address that in Wednesday's statement but said that the district did have the discretion to resolicit bids if necessary. They said, however, that community input will not be required in the process going forward.

This article mentioned in passing the meeting that took place with Alderman Beale regarding Shedd School. He had been quoted in that article but hopefully someone out there will let us know what happened at that meeting. And hopefully some updates regarding the rebid for Shedd School.