Using the rocky edges of Promontory Point as a runway, Tom Knight has windsurfed atop the waves of Lake Michigan into a cove tucked inside the curvy shoreline east of South Shore Drive.
But most days, the 55-year-old former steelworker simply swims a mile across the small bay that gently laps the shore off 55th Street in the Hyde Park neighborhood.
“It’s such a beautiful spot,” said Knight, one of many residents who frequently flock to the point. “It’s even lovely in the winter.”
But as the popular recreation area moves closer to becoming the next spot along the lakefront to have its eroding edges repaired as part of a larger rehabilitation project, Knight and others are concerned that the work could render their prized retreat virtually unusable for two years.
Chicago Park District officials said Tuesday that an earlier plan to do the work in two stages, leaving half the point’s perimeter open at a time, could add an estimated $1 million to the $22 million cost of the project and delay its completion by nine months to a year.
Leaders from the Park District, the city’s Department of the Environment and an engineering and design firm working on the project will meet Wednesday evening with community members to discuss plans and hear their suggestions.
The planned construction at Promontory Point, which is expected to begin this spring, is part of a $300 million project to replace 8 miles of century-old wood and stone barriers that were designed to protect the area, but have crumbled over the years.
Community members have met several times with Park District and city officials since last January to discuss the project’s progress.
After a year of talks, some residents said they thought the work would be done so that half of the point could be used for recreation while construction was under way on the other half.
After more research projected that method to be more costly and time-consuming, Park District officials are leaning toward doing the project all at once, though no decision has been made, said Bridget Gainer Kibby, lakefront director.
At least one resident said she believes she has been misled.
“We were promised it in stages, first the north part and then the south part, so it could be used half and half,” said Kay Clement, a community and park activist. “It’s just a shock to hear this is happening.”
Though Park District officials have not decided whether the entire perimeter of the point would be fenced off during construction, Kibby said even without fencing, it would be unsafe to swim near where boom cranes would be operating.
Still, she said, the field house for special events is expected to remain open. Also, the Park District will try to preserve a bike path from the north to south end of the point and as much park space as possible during construction.
“There’s no getting around the fact that this is a major construction project,” Kibby said.
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