25 signatures reached
To: Alderman Pat Dowell, Kamau Murray, Chicago Department of Planning and Development, Chicago's Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, & Development
NO HOTEL @ 5301 S. STATE STREET, CHICAGO, 60615
On behalf of myself and the undersigned residents of the 3rd Ward and surrounding neighborhoods, I respectfully submit this statement in strong opposition to the proposed zoning change and development at 5300–5321 South State Street, which includes:
* A 6-story, 125-unit Hyatt Studio Hotel
* A 5-story, 51-unit residential building
* 72 off-street parking spaces
Our community’s vibrancy and diversity continue to attract new residents, and we welcome that growth. However, we believe the priority should be the construction of affordable housing and the support of locally viable businesses, not developments that fail to meet the long-term needs of our community.
Chicago must do more to uphold and expand the goals of the Affordable Requirements Ordinance by supporting developments that create real housing opportunities for residents.
A recent article in the New-Star Newspaper highlighted the sharp decline in student enrollment at DuSable High School, a troubling trend driven largely by the displacement of families and the loss of affordable housing in the area. Our neighborhood cannot thrive without stable housing that supports families and preserves the social fabric of our community.
Please also note:
1. Proximity to Beasley Academic Magnet Center
The proposed hotel would sit less than 50 feet from Beasley Academic Center, which serves over 1,000 elementary school students. Beasley is a Magnet School and students reside 10+ miles away. Introducing transient occupancy and increased public access so close to a school raises major safety concerns.
1. Proximity to Beasley Academic Magnet Center
The proposed hotel would sit less than 50 feet from Beasley Academic Center, which serves over 1,000 elementary school students. Beasley is a Magnet School and students reside 10+ miles away. Introducing transient occupancy and increased public access so close to a school raises major safety concerns.
2. Traffic and Congestion
The intersections at 53rd & State and 53rd & Wabash are already heavily congested, especially during school hours. Additional traffic from hotel guests, staff, and new residents would further compromise pedestrian and student safety.
The intersections at 53rd & State and 53rd & Wabash are already heavily congested, especially during school hours. Additional traffic from hotel guests, staff, and new residents would further compromise pedestrian and student safety.
3. Hyatt as a Major Hotel Chain
Hyatt is a global hospitality brand known for attracting a high volume of travelers. A hotel of this scale brings a significantly greater exchange of people, including out-of-town visitors, commercial guests, and short-term stays—elements not aligned with the quiet, residential character of this community.
Hyatt is a global hospitality brand known for attracting a high volume of travelers. A hotel of this scale brings a significantly greater exchange of people, including out-of-town visitors, commercial guests, and short-term stays—elements not aligned with the quiet, residential character of this community.
4. Lack of Transparency and Community Input
Residents were not meaningfully consulted prior to the proposal's advancement. We call for a more open and inclusive process that involves residents in shaping the future of our neighborhood.
Residents were not meaningfully consulted prior to the proposal's advancement. We call for a more open and inclusive process that involves residents in shaping the future of our neighborhood.
5. Long-Term Viability and Accountability
The nearby South Loop Hotel, once expected to boost local tourism and revenue, ultimately filed for bankruptcy in 2023C. Without guarantees for long-term success and accountability, the community risks being left with a vacant or underused property.
The nearby South Loop Hotel, once expected to boost local tourism and revenue, ultimately filed for bankruptcy in 2023C. Without guarantees for long-term success and accountability, the community risks being left with a vacant or underused property.
6. Impact on Neighborhood Quality of Life
The presence of a major hotel may lead to increased noise, reduced privacy, changes in street activity, and ultimately a decline in property values—all concerns expressed by nearby homeowners.
The presence of a major hotel may lead to increased noise, reduced privacy, changes in street activity, and ultimately a decline in property values—all concerns expressed by nearby homeowners.
We believe in a development that reflects the needs, values, and voice of the community. The attached petition, signed by residents, shows that opposition to this project is widespread and grounded in valid concerns about safety, sustainability, and quality of life.
We respectfully urge the Chicago Planning Commission, and the Chicago Zoning, Landmark, & Development Committee to reject or pause this proposal until a more transparent, community-aligned plan is presented.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Judith K. Jordan
5308 S. Wabash Ave
Chicago, IL 60615
773.620.6261
Judith K. Jordan
5308 S. Wabash Ave
Chicago, IL 60615
773.620.6261
Why is this important?
I care about this neighborhood, it’s not just where I live, it’s part of who I am. I’ve seen so much change over the years, but now it’s starting to feel like the kind of change that pushes people like us out.
There’s a plan in the works to bring a Hyatt hotel and private athlete housing to land that used to belong to our community. Remember the Robert Taylor Homes? They tore those down with the promise that they’d rebuild and bring families back. That never happened. Instead, CHA and our City Officials are selling off the land to developers tied to elite tennis programs and political insiders. People with money. People with power. People who don’t live here.
And honestly? It hurts. It feels like the city is more interested in making deals than keeping promises. They say it’s “development,” but who is it really for? Not the families who used to live here. Not the students whose schools are now half-empty. Not the kids who need safe places to play, affordable homes, or someone to invest in their futures.
There’s this guy Kamau Murray, he runs XS Tennis. He says he’s doing it for the youth, but if you go by there, it’s all elite players, out-of-town visitors, and not much actual connection to the community. And yet, somehow, he’s the one getting city land. It doesn’t add up.
I’m fighting this because I believe our neighborhood deserves better. We deserve homes, not hotels. We deserve to be heard, not sidelined. And I’m asking people to sign a petition, to stand with us, because once this land is gone, it’s gone. And so are the families who could’ve come back.
So yeah, this is personal. I’m not just angry, I’m trying to do something about it. Because if we don’t fight for our neighborhoods, who will?
How it will be delivered
Door-Door
Flyers with links to sign the petition
Via Social Media