Initial neighborhood meetings have been held for the community spaces below the upcoming Red and Purple Line Modernization (RPM) across the north side. The project will run below and adjacent to the new track from W Lawrence Avenue in the south to W Ardmore Avenue in the north. Efforts are being led by the Chicago Transit Authority who brought on local firm Site Design Group to execute the work.
Site context map for the new space via Google Maps
The multi-billion dollar RPM is quickly proceeding with its first phase of work, this included the replacement of tracks along a large portion of the line, multiple new station houses and upgrades to others, as well as the famed Brown Line flyover. Prior to this, the tracks ran on top of a concrete wall embankment, which the CTA planned to partially preserve until it was discovered that the structure was too deteriorated to do so.
Demolition of embankment walls via CTA
Demolition of embankment walls via CTA
Since they are now being demolished, over a mile of space north of the Lawrence station and just south of the Thorndale station is now available to be redeveloped. The meetings held, which were split into two by blocks north and south of W Foster Street, focused on what the project could look like including precedent studies of the Miami Underline among others. Site Design Group will now create a block-by-block plan with different uses.
Rendering of new Berwyn station via CTA
New lights will be installed under the tracks, and the spaces will hold community programs supported by the CTA. The design team will now take the neighborhood’s feedback, which focused on safety and usable space, and present the plan this coming spring. A budget hasn’t been announced for the project, and the spaces won’t open until this phase of the RPM is completed in 2025.
The CTA is also currently working on outlining the next phase of the RPM and will be holding further community meetings for it as well.
Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail
Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews
Great thinking on the part of the community and it’s public request for expanded green and recreational outlets, alongside the CTA Innovation and Planning Office. For decades, communities have quietly hope for such planning of these wide open spaces underneath rail tracks. The Greater Englewood District (Green line) and the Redline Extension Project Team would hope to pursue similar planning exercises on the coming years. This planning would add value to Chicago Regional Tree Initiative effort to reduce the heat islands effects across Chicago and reduce air pollution. Certainly, this public benefit strategy should be pursued in all rail corridors. Beautiful just Beautiful!
Do NOT use this for more parking. Public space should not be used for the storage of other people’s personal property.
Agreed!!! It also must be designed for programmed use (farmer’s markets, etc.) and fully secured so that it remains a part of the public realm that the public can use without concern for their safety. By “public” I mean ALL the people who live or are present there. This was space formerly occupied by concrete and dirt so no one is being displaced, I would like it to remain somewhere where no one will need to be displaced in the future because they are depriving others of the use of the space for what it was intended for.
I think Brandon just found some new land for his tent cities!!!
Can CTA Announce Livestream videos 🎥 with pre-recorded & upcoming Livestream service 🐕🦺 on CTA system systemwide, including Red-Purple Mordenzation project between RPB and LBMM segments.
CTA Also Needs to improve, expand safety 🦺 and security with mental health across the transit system and around the clock ⏰.
Is CTA Going to Announce 24/7 service 🐕🦺 & operational hour’s on CTA system systemwide later this year 🎉.