makes sense

Somehow it does not sound appetizing that a hot dog factory might relocate into ... a used hot dog factory.

Also, if the parties aren't even close to agreeing on a land sale --- then the D/E/F road project might still be way far out in the future.


http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.co...-to-south-side
Vienna Beef mulling move to South Side
By: Alby Gallun May 08, 2013

...

The 120-year-old hot dog maker has been dealing with city officials over a plan to reroute Elston Avenue right through the company's current headquarters property, a move aimed at relieving congestion at the intersection of Elston, Fullerton and Damen avenues.

Now, Vienna, a fixture on the North Side since 1972, is considering moving its headquarters to Bridgeport, a shift that could include a subsidy from the city. Vienna has signed a contract to buy a former Sara Lee Corp. hot dog factory at 1000 W. Pershing Road, confirmed co-president Jack Bodman.

...

The city wants to reroute Elston so it runs through Vienna's property at 2501 N. Damen Ave. The project wouldn't disturb Vienna's manufacturing because the street would be paved on vacant land just south of the company's 100,000-square-foot factory. The city would acquire the land from Vienna or, if the two sides couldn't agree on a price, seize it through its eminent domain powers.

“They absolutely don't need to move” because of the street reconfiguration, said ... chief of staff for Ald. Scott Waguespack ... . Yet moving to the South Side “makes all the sense in the world” when considering other uses, including retail or residential, that would maximize the value of the Vienna property, said industrial broker Scott Duerkop ...

It's probably a smart move for Vienna.

Streetsblog recently put up a post on the Englewood Flyover. Most of it rehashes things we already know, but at the bottom, they have a picture showing progress on the piers.

http://chi.streetsblog.org/2013/05/0...-metra-delays/

Today
Bridgework on 18th and Clark
http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/t...E62DCF7B2B.jpg

Are there maps anywhere of a hypothetical L lines?

Notice especially the Metra Electric:


Metra train stops and income levels

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/artic...oney-train-me\
tra-stops-and-income-levels

The geographic disparity in Chicago's wealth can be seen by tracking householdincome in the ZIP codes of Metra train stations. The Union Pacific North and Milwaukee District North lines pass through some of the wealthiest ZIP codes, while the Metra Electric and Rock Island lines go through some of the poorest.

CRAIN'S MAPS:
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/Asset...3charticle.htm

Metra station median income percentile ranking
Based on average income of the station's ZIP code. Mouse over stations to see
specific data.

Note: Map does not included Ravinia Park stop.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (2011, five-year)

Click here to view a static version of this map in a popup window:
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/Asset...3charticle.htm

Looks like they are painting. I wonder why. The bridge was in good condition. It's those flyovers in desperate need of repainting.

They are supposed to repaint the flyover. Ald. Solis got some TIF money for this purpose. They're probably just starting with the low-hanging fruit (no pun intended). It will be easier to get access to the underside of the flyover once Red Line service to the Dan Ryan ends.

Dan Ryan track rehab starts today. Going to be an interesting 5 months (at least).

Why did they pick the warmer months?

Because a really tight construction project can't afford weather delays? Because confused riders won't be stuck in the cold when they miss their connection? Lots of good reasons.

Here's a terrible photo I took of the Clark and Division subway reconstruction. Other people were taking phone photos too so there might be better shots out there somewhere.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7296/8...db73e03f_b.jpg

True , what other lines will be reconstructed?

There was a train of double-decker coaches crossing the St Charles Air Line at Michigan Ave yesterday; that's something I've never seen. A Tribune story today about a derailment also happens to include a photo of a double-deck trainset on the SCAL that is captioned as a "derailed Amtrak train on the Metra Rock Island line on ... May 19". Does Amtrak use trainsets (in Chicago) comprised mostly of commuter-looking double-deckers? Or is this just rare Metra usage of SCAL? (And is this just another Tribune reporting botch.)

I think that's it.

The upcoming major CTA projects after this (if I remember correctly):
- the new Green Line stop at Cermak Rd (to place in between the 3 mile distance from Roosevelt to 35th)
- merging the Wabash Avenue Loop stations into one mega station (Washington/Wabash).
- extending the Red Line from 95th Street to 130th Street.

I wish they'd place a Pink Line stop at Madison & Paulina Sts. for easier access to the United Center but that doesn't look like it's happening anytime soon. Damen/Lake would be helpful too for that.

Because they have keep away from the bad snowstorm. They don't want to do that. Instead, they don't have worry about the winter storm.

Don't forget the Wilson rebuild or the 95th rebuild. Both are massive, hundred-million-dollar projects.

They're gonna need to do the same reconstruction of the Forest Park branch in coming years, too (it's even older than the Dan Ryan branch). CTA might do another closure, although there's room to lay temporary tracks alongside the old ones. I've thought recently that this wide ROW might make for some great landscaping opportunities, screening the rail line like DC's Orange Line along I-66.

Any Metra line rebuilds?

It's a shame this isn't being pursued. I've been observing Chicago from above on google maps, and I've always thought the growth of downtown towards the west was a no-brainer. There's the University of Illinois, Malcolm X College, the united center, etc. and Commuter rail/two CTA lines that service the area for crying out loud! The surface lots, around the united center, scream "Hudson Yards".

The same applies for the areas of the south side nearest to downtown. Much of the building stock in this area is still phenomenal (what's left of it), there's beautiful historic town homes, small apartment buildnigs and highrises. The areas between the University of Chicago and the Loop can and should be connected with proper infill on the empty lots. Considering its proximity to the loop and excellent transit access, I'm in shock as to why Chicago fails to see the opportunity. Chicago could easily triple the size of its core and become a much more dynamic, healthier and competitive city.