‘Another eyesore’: Harvey economic development committee takes up community hubs project status

Alderpersons sought to resume planning and development of the city’s community hubs and police substation project after more than a year of stalled construction.

The last time the economic development committee discussed the community hubs was in August 2023, said chair Alderwoman Colby Chapman (2nd) at the Feb. 5 convening.

Harvey Police Chief Cameron Biddings, who never attends committee meetings, was also in attendance.

The project, a $1.7 million price tag, was envisioned as multifunctional spaces that will serve as community centers, offering various programs and services to residents. Harvey secured a $1 million state grant through the office of Illinois State Representative Will Davis.

Conceptually, each ward would house its own hub, six centers total. The city broke ground in November 2022 at 168 W. 154th St. in the 3rd Ward.

The city had to search for a new contractor after the previous one failed to “get the job done,” said Mayor Chris Clark at Chapman and Key’s joint ward meeting last fall.

In August 2022, the City Council approved a contract with the Winfield Group to complete construction. The following month, the Council approved Antero Group, the city’s principal engineering firm it frequently partners with, to conduct the project’s engineering and design services.

The hubs are expected to reduce blight, improve public lighting, increase Wi-Fi access and provide a safe haven for seniors, children and families, according to a news release after the groundbreaking ceremony. Nicor Gas will assist, employing net zero, energy efficient building materials.

Chapman said she is excited for any new development in the city, namely those that coincide with other south suburban initiatives, such as the forthcoming Wind Creek Casino in nearby Homewood, that may attract consumers to Harvey. “These hubs have pros and cons,” Chapman said. “I’m excited for anything that’s considered new development.”

The hubs, however, have become a safety hazard. Cinder blocks, orange tape, and potholes nearby mar each site. In Harvey, questions swirled about the project’s status. The mayor’s office offered little information, if any, before Clark—over a year after groundbreaking—made public statements about the issue. “We need to find a new contractor,” Clark told residents at Chapman and Key’s ward meeting.

“One thing we don’t need is another eyesore in the community, and I think we can all agree with that. And I’m really concerned about safety. And Lord knows we can’t take any more hits from a financial standpoint of having anyone sue the city due to malpractice for any harm that may have been done to them,” Chapman said.

The economic development committee still needs to identify the previous developer and the issues, as well as identify how much money was already dispersed and what is left in the budget for this project, Chapman said. 

She said they will compile an email to the city inquiring about that information and the expected timeline.

Alderman Tracy Key (4th) was present and suggested the city should focus less on ticketing cars and more on city property like the hubs. “We should have a second and third person who has bid on the property to have in alignment already in place so we can keep things going,” Key said.

Update, 02/26/2024: This story was updated to reflect the presence of Harvey Police Chief Cameron Biddings.