Since becoming Harvey mayor in 2019, Christopher Clark’s administration has pushed an economic development agenda billed as “Building a Better Harvey.”
To advance efforts to revitalize Harvey’s nearly deserted downtown, members of the city’s Economic Development Committee attended a real estate conference in May to attract potential investors and network with other business leaders, according to Glenn Harston, a city spokesman.
Clark, 1st Ward Ald. Shirley Drewenski, 3rd Ward Ald. Telanee Smith, 6th Ward Ald. Tyrone Rogers and Remona Simpson, executive assistant, attended the International Council of Shopping Centers convention May 19-21 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The annual event is designed to connect “dealers and industry experts who drive innovation and evolution in commercial real estate,” according to the convention’s website.
“I’ve had the opportunity to meet with other municipalities that are very similar to ours and talk to a number of businesses and institutions that are interested in the city of Harvey, and that’s what we’re trying to do,” Drewenski said. “We’re trying to redevelop our city.”
Some residents are wondering why city taxes were spent on what many assumed was a vacation.
Clark spent at least $3,637 on the conference, according to expense reports obtained by the Daily Southtown through the Freedom of Information Act. That amount does not include flight and hotel expenses for the four other city officials.
The expenses included $705 for a round-trip flight, $338 for a three-year conference membership and $1,544 for a four-night stay at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino, an average of $386 per day. Another receipt shows Clark spent $1,050 to register himself, City Administrator Corean Davis and 1st Ward Councilwoman Shirley Drewenski for the conference.
Davis told Southtown she did not attend the conference.
Clark did not accept repeated requests for an interview about the conference. Harston provided an emailed response detailing its purpose, saying it “provides Harvey with a unique opportunity to connect with key industry leaders, developers and retailers, just as she has done for municipalities like Wheaton, Lockport, Romeoville and 2,143 other members across the state of Illinois.”
In participating in this year’s event, Harston said, Clark was looking to attract responsible businesses “committed to investing in the community and adhering to local regulations.”
“The event allowed the Mayor to engage directly with potential investors and partners who can play an important role in revitalizing the community,” Harston wrote.
Drewenski said she is looking for ways to attract chain restaurants to Harvey. She has spoken with representatives from Dairy Queen and Starbucks, which she said would be beneficial additions.
“The only ice cream places we have are the family restaurants in Harvey. And a chain would be great,” she said. “It’s the same thing with Starbucks. Look at Starbucks, Homewood has two and the surrounding communities. Why not Harvey?”
Harvey has seen thousands of people and businesses leave over the years. Despite a declining population and falling property values, a series of Tribune investigations in 2015 found that property taxes remained high, forcing remaining residents to foot the bill for a depleted pension fund and years of financial mismanagement.
When Clark, then a city councilor, defeated Mayor Eric Kellogg in the 2019 election, he set a goal of transforming the city and “restoring the name and reputation of our great city of Harvey,” according to a message from Clark on the city’s website.
As part of Clark’s revitalization efforts, a key goal is to address decades of delinquent property taxes for the majority of Harvey’s businesses.
Clark previously told Southtown that the city collects 52 percent of its property tax revenue and that some businesses have evaded paying those taxes for 20 years, costing the city about $12 million in tax revenue. The city also loses 35 percent of all tax revenue because of unpaid police and fire department pensions, a problem he says he inherited from his predecessor.
However, Clark’s attempts to collect delinquent property taxes, combined with growing distrust in city government, led to a protest on June 10, held just before the city council’s biweekly meeting.
Residents have called for an investigation into Clark’s administration in light of growing concerns about how the city’s tax dollars are being spent. One of the main concerns raised was the purpose and details of the trip to Las Vegas in May.
“Everybody knows you went on a trip. Everybody knows you spent our money,” said Mauzkie Ervin, who identified himself as a former Harvey Public Library trustee. “Everybody knows there are other things you have to focus on besides having a good time.”
Harvey has not released a treasurer’s annual report since 2022, which provides a detailed breakdown of government spending and revenue. Instead, a comptroller’s report was released in March.
Fueled by uncertainty over Harvey’s finances, protesters chanted “Stop the extortion” and “Where’s the money?”
Despite speculation from residents about the purpose of the trip, Harston said it was not for leisure.
But many residents said that while the mayor has no obligation to respond to public comments at city meetings, transparency is lacking when questions go unanswered.
“When you do things like that, it’s kind of like you’re making a mistake in your life. You’re doing something wrong,” Ervin said at the June 10 meeting. “You’re trying to keep it a secret and not give him the information that lets us know you’re doing something right.”
Drewenski said there was no open dialogue during public comment because the biweekly meetings are for business purposes only. She encouraged residents concerned about the trip to contact her directly, promising to address any issues.
“None of these people have ever called me personally to ask why I am attending these conferences,” she said. “This is a business meeting. We are there to run the city as best we can. That being said, they can ask me any questions they want, whenever they want, except when I am in a council meeting.”
However, Harston said in his email that attending the conference was intended to benefit the city and support efforts to bring businesses back to Harvey.
“The conference provided the Mayor with an opportunity to outline Harvey’s redevelopment vision and strategic initiatives underway to make the city more business-friendly,” he wrote. “These engagements have already led to preliminary discussions on potential projects that could bring new retail, dining and service options to the city.”
The conference also provided an opportunity for networking and professional development, Harston said. During her stay, Clark attended several workshops and networking events, including the opening reception, a breakfast on advancing retail in communities, a session on urban and suburban renewal strategies, an ICSC diversity reception and an exhibit hall and networking event.
Because of the city’s dire financial situation, Drewenski said rebuilding from Harvey has been a gradual process. However, she said that with grants for infrastructure repairs and growing business interest, the city is gradually moving toward its former prominence.
“It’s a slow process, but things are starting to come together,” she said. “I largely commend Mayor Clark, but I especially commend the residents, because they want a Harvey they can be proud of.”
smoilanen@chicagotribune.com
