My policy on the SG blog’s relationship towards the Chicago Maroon has, until now, been one of acknowledged disengagement. Frankly I didn’t want this to become a place for us to shout back at any perceived wrongs in reporting or editorials or what not.

And while we do keep track of when SG shows up the Maroon (see the links page), this has been the extent of engagement.

I’m going to make an exception in the case of Mr. Tim Murphy’s recent column. His analysis of the problem facing our community is precise and exact: Hyde Park needs a 24 hour diner.

Just some place that serves bad coffee, pancakes, and Mr. Murphy’s beloved bacon at all hours. Seems simple, right?

Wrong. In retail surveys, if recollection suits me, a diner ranks slightly behind a new grocery store (check) and slightly ahead of a place to buy socks. So if the administration realizes there is demand, why hasn’t anything happened?

The answer is that after asking every diner in the city of Chicago there’s been only one answer that is open at all hours: no way. Apparently diners don’t believe they could make money even with a “300 lb Gorilla”* like the U of C at its back. I do not know the exact reasons business give, but my guess is that it has something to do with foot traffic. We just don’t have a concentrated area of urban life in Hyde Park, especially one that exists late enough to attract this kind of business.

This doesn’t mean Student Government and the Administration aren’t working on it. This quarter six students, three undergraduates and three graduates, were appointed to an advisory committee with the task of helping the administration think about retail. They’ve been attending the community discussions which have been occurring and meeting regularly to talk about this issue.

What can you, the average student, do to make this happen quicker? First, stay in Hyde Park! Moving or visiting Lake View or Lincoln Park takes precious student money out of Hyde Park. Keep it local! Second, talk about what you want! We students (especially Graduate Students) are vital and important members of this community and the community discussion in Hyde Park should reflect that fact. Shopping at Roosevelt road’s Target and Jewel-Osco every weekend? Maybe you should attend some community meetings and tell your neighbors about the thousands of dollars which aren’t going back into our community.

I’m not say Hyde Park should become some sort of corporate jungle where local business comes to die. But Hyde Park should be reflective of student demand. And that can’t happen till we start making our demand heard.

-Scott

* At a Co-Op Board meeting last winter, a community member used this phrase to described the University’s presence in Hyde Park retail.

Before you ask about Chipotle, let me stop you. They also need high foot traffic and a large space (i.e. not Hutch), plus they serve alcohol (so not on 57th Street because its across the street from a school).