After years of delay, construction is expected to begin this year on the Damen CTA Green Line station in the Near West Side. Planned for the intersection of N Damen Avenue and W Lake Street, the new station will add a new stop to the CTA Green Line, replacing a historic station closed in 1948.
Aerial View of Damen CTA Green Line Station. Rendering by Perkins + Will
Designed by Perkins+Will, the new station will replace service to the Near West Side since the original station closed. Designed with safety in mind, patrons will have full visibility within the building and to and from the street. Bike and bus lanes will connect the station to the surrounding community. Additionally, local artist Folayemi (Fo) Wilson, for blkHaUS studios, was commissioned to create the public art feature at the station, which adds vibrant visual interest while celebrating the community.
Entry to Damen CTA Green Line Station. Rendering by Perkins + Will
In a nod to Chicago’s architectural history, the green trusses along the station’s bridge reflect the name of the CTA line and are a dynamic reference to the famous steel bridges throughout the city. The materials and design elements were chosen and arranged to enhance and simplify an intuitive user experience of the facility and to allow for a long-lasting transit facility with low-maintenance requirements.
View of Damen CTA Green Line Station. Rendering by Perkins + Will
A grand stair and escalator, clearly visible through the station’s transparent glass façade, will guide arriving passengers up to the platform level. A glass bridge will facilitate connections between inbound and outbound train platforms while simultaneously offering views of the Chicago skyline and orienting visitors to neighborhood destinations and attractions.
Platform of Damen CTA Green Line Station. Rendering by Perkins + Will
According to a Chicago Department of Transportation official, the advance work for the new station is now complete. This process included utility relocations and underground work to reinforce column foundations within the project limits. The bid phase for the construction of the station is almost complete with bids currently open. If the bidding process stays on track, groundbreaking on the station house will occur this summer. Construction is expected to take 24 months.
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It seems unnecessarily large.. The space could have been better used with some high density TOD.
Agreed, CTA could earn money by allowing for dense development right on the publicly owned property. This is how many countries fund intense system expansion and maintenance.
I’m really glad to see this development move forward, it’s vital to facilitating more development in that immediate area. Finally there will be an appropriate CTA stop for the United Center.
This neighborhood has been starved for transportation. An easy walk to the United Center, will lead to expanded growth. Now lets get one at Paulina and Madison.