Oakland, located on the south side of Chicago and is striving to reclaim its former glory as one of the city's premier neighborhoods being home to such historical hot sposts as the Savoy, Palm Tavern Walrick Ballroom and the Regal Theater.
Though the area has been in decay for a long period of time, its residents and savvy real estate developers are transforming this once dilapidated community into a gradiose historical district, like its neighbor North Kenwood.
Mayor Richard M. Dailey empowered the city to demolish much of the community's abandoned buildings and declared it a conservation district. The city determined that it would need to develop new housing to attract new residents. Developers were then lured into the community. They developed new commericial establishments such as drug and grocery stores as well as new, modern, and well-priced housing. As a result, a $9.5 million dollar shopping center was erected at Lake Park and 47th as well as a Harris Bank and Hyde Park Grocery Co-op.
These efforts within the community have helped Oakland to regain its glory, which is begining to shine through a wall former neglect.
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