It's that time of year and like many other websites, tv stations, newspapers and blogs, we're going to take a look back at some of the most important and biggest stories of 2011.
#4 - New Green Line Cermak Station Announcement
While it's clear that the Roosevelt El station is the primary hub for public transportation in the South Loop, as the neighborhood has continued to grow to the South many have been calling for a new El station South of Roosevelt (since there is no stop between Roosevelt and 35th street).
This has been a debate for a long time, but in mid-October of 2011 the CTA announced plans to open up a new Green Line Stop at Cermak between Wabash and State. While the stop isn't planned to open until 2014, this news should be a shot in the arm for the area and Alderman Fioretti's push to make Motor Row into an entertainment district. It also makes a ton of sense since it will provide another public transportation option for people/conventions at McCormick Place.
5 comments:
I meant to comment on this story when if first broke. CTA cannot really afford to build this station. It has a backlog of $10 billion in projects to bring its existing system to a state of good repair. Also, to build a station that is within a couple of blocks of the Chinatown Red Line station doesn't meet transit plannig standards. The only way this makes sense is if there was TIF district, or some similar value capture tool, that encompasses the station location to pay for it.
Im a free market, private sector fully financed project only type of person however when it comes to public transit subsidised is nessessary. Even if the CTA is in the hole, we cant stop expanding and improving the system. A great city's lifeblood is it's infrastructure and ease of use. This is a major victory in giving the South Loop 3 L options and will lead to density. The CTA's woes are operational and pension related, not hardware related. Anything to increase use should be applauded. Now as for union construction contracts and connected "consultants" for the new station, thats a different matter....
I know we talk alot about an 18th stop, but I have a lot of info out there about an 18th/Clark Orange Line stop (better access to Midway & loop) I am assuming when we talk about an 18th stop on Sloopin we are talking about a Red Line stop at 18th and Wabash/State correct? It looks as though an infill stop at 18th/Clark is going to happen before a Red Line stop. Just thought to throw this out there.
I'd love an 18th orange line stop, but I haven't heard anything but wishes for it.
GREAT, more places for bums to goto the bathroom and make the south loop smell like stinky again
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