Fourth Ward Alderman Will Burns will join representatives from UChicago, the Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce and bike commuter center operator Bike and Park for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to kick off the grand opening of the 53rd Street Bicycle Center tomorrow, Thursday, May 24, at 1 p.m.

The bike center is located at 1558 E. 53rd Street, next door to the Metra station at 53rd and Lake Park Avenue. It opened quietly last Thursday and already has been serving cyclists and other customers. Bike and Park, which also operates a bike commuter center in Millennium Park, offers bike rentals, storage, tours and other amenities at the location.

The 53rd Street Bicycle Center is the latest new business to open on 53rd Street since UChicago partnered with the City of Chicago to help revitalize the area. The space now occupied by the bike center was previously vacant for about 10 years. UChicago recently leased the space from Metra.

James Hennessy and Jonathan Dennis from UChicago’s Commercial Real Estate Office are expected to attend the grand opening, along with the Executive Director of the Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce, Wallace Goode. For more information about Bike and Park and services that will be offered at the new center, visit http://bikeandpark.com/city/chicago/locations.

Photos by Beth Rooney