East 55th St, Washington Park

East Garfield Blvd is an example of a grand Chicago street that turned into a slum once the environment of the area changed. You will find old residential buildings in the area, but they are now substandard. Drugs and gang violence is active in the area, and the schools are poor. Some people are buying the large, old homes and renovating them to rebuild the area. However, this process is a slow one. Drive down East Garfield Blvd and head toward the lake and you hit Hyde Park. Hyde Park is home to the University of Chicago and is not a slum.