The Renaissance Letter: Broadway Ave. demolition resumes after Harvey told to stop after not securing permits

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A free summer kick-off event. Citations over shaky demolitions. Here are the top 5 things you need to know about the latest happenings in Harvey for the week of May 13.

5. Harvey Public Library District expands hours and expands remote print services

After years of demand, Harvey library expanded weekly hours. 

The library will operate from 9:00A.M. to 7:00P.M., Monday through Thursday. It will operate from 9:00A.M. to 5:00P.M., Friday and Saturday. The change means the library will open and close later during the week for residents. The library will remain closed on Sunday.

Residents can now remotely print at the library, which also upgraded its website. Previously, the library had two separate websites, with conflicting information. In June 2023, the HWH reported the library was one of several governing bodies violating a state transparency law that requires public bodies to post approved meeting minutes on its adjoining website within 10 business days. With the new website, the library is still violating that section of the Open Meetings Act.

4. Business owners frustrated and confused over Harvey’s operating license review process

Leadership at S2 Express Grill, a restaurant which opened on 167th Street and Halsted Street in 2022 after delays, expressed confusion about the status of its business license at a City Council meeting April 8.

Generally, Harvey business licenses expire each April. The planning department reviews license applications and oversees the renewal process. But publicly, city officials have revealed little as to what the review process entails regarding an already opaque process in Harvey. Critics charge that leaving business license practices to the mayor’s office has discouraged entrepreneurs from opening businesses while leaving current licensees feeling they must play politics with the Clark administration. But the mayor’s office doesn’t review license applications.

This comes as the mayor’s office has sent mailers to Harvey residents blasting business owners for not paying local property taxes. However, many of those businesses don’t own their properties and aren’t responsible for paying them, sparking criticism from residents on social media.

3. Harvey Lofts takes shape

The $22 million affordable housing development on Broadway Avenue is over 30% complete, according to project builders. That includes masonry and siding, dry wall on the first floor, and finishing electrical and mechanical installations on the 4th floor, according to the LinkedIn page of Burling Builders, Inc., the company tasked with completing construction. Former Harvey economic development director Nicholas Greifer, a key player in jumpstarting the project, heralded Lofts’ project on LinkedIn last week.

City Council approved the endeavor in January 2022 but construction didn’t begin until September 2023. That’s partly because the developer Pivotal Housing Partners, formerly known as MVAH Partners, was still working to close in on Illinois Housing Development Authority financing during that time. The project faced criticism from some residents that the approval process wasn’t transparent enough. Others have little understanding of how transit-oriented development and housing can revitalize downtown Harvey, a point city officials did a paltry job to articulate. Harvey Lofts dovetails with other public and private efforts to make the downtown area more biker and pedestrian friendly while improving transit services.

2. Volunteers and vendors needed for first annual ‘Safe Summer Kick-Off’

The Transforming Places Harvey Neighborhood Network, a joint effort by local nonprofits CEDA and Restoration Ministries, are hosting an event to promote summer safety and fun in Harvey and are seeking volunteers. On May 25 at the Harvey Park District’s Gloria Taylor Banquet Hall, the HNN will have food, dance and musical performances from Harvey artists, and more. Entry is free, and the first 1,000 residents to enter with proof of residency eat for free. Vendors have until May 17th to register. Email manderson@cedaorg.net to inquire about volunteering.

1. Harvey demolishes vacant Broadway Ave. buildings

After a four month delay, Harvey has moved forward with demolishing three vacant properties on Broadway Ave. The properties, which sit across the street from City Hall, are no more after being demolished late last week. According to an inspection report obtained by the HWH, the county cited Harvey in January for violating the Cook County Environmental Control Ordinance, which helps regulate environmental pollution. 

The Cook County Department of Environmental and Sustainability ordered the city to cease demolition after determining the city didn’t have required permits from the county. The Department had received a complaint about illegal demolitions and concerns over lead and asbestos.

At the time, Harvey had already demolished one property with two remaining. That same week Harvey was cited, officers with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office were seen monitoring incarcerated people as they helped with demolition efforts via the sheriff’s boot camp offender program. The operation ended days later.

Correction, 06/04/2024: An earlier version of this newsletter incorrectly indicated that the mayor’s office reviews business license applications. This newsletter report has been updated to reflect that the planning department holds that responsibility.