CHICAGO: Transit Developments

[Kenmore]

Originally Posted by emathias

There's a lot of track work involved. My guess is that most of the length of time is because they continue to run trains through the station, not because the trains are stopping in the station.

makes sense

[denizen467]

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 ...

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by denizen467

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.

[sammyg]

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/

[J_M_Tungsten]

Today
Bridgework on 18th and Clark

[ndrwmls10]

Are there maps anywhere of a hypothetical L lines?

[CTA Gray Line]

Originally Posted by ardecila

I guess I meant regionally, but obviously land use in the city needs reform as well.

Increased frequency on Metra lines and upzoning in suburban downtown areas can create a whole new swath of transit-oriented Chicagoland with almost no capital investment by transit agencies.

As I said above, the biggest stumbling blocks are not a lack of funding or a lack of will behind megaprojects but inter-agency disputes and a basic misunderstanding of transit-oriented regional planning. I hate to beat a dead horse here, but why are we planning to spend several billion to extend the Red Line when Metra Electric already has the infrastructure and frequent stop spacing to act as a frequent urban transit line? We forumers all know the answer by now, I think, but those are the problems we need to deal with; not some Burnham-esque lack of soul-stirring planning magic.

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

[Rizzo]

Originally Posted by J_M_Tungsten

Today
Bridgework on 18th and Clark

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

[ardecila]

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.

[K 22]

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

[Nexis4Jersey]

Originally Posted by K 22

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

Why did they pick the warmer months?

[ardecila]

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.

[Rizzo]

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.

[Nexis4Jersey]

Originally Posted by ardecila

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.

True , what other lines will be reconstructed?

[denizen467]

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.)

[K 22]

Originally Posted by Nexis4Jersey

True , what other lines will be reconstructed?

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.

[N830MH]

Originally Posted by Nexis4Jersey

Why did they pick the warmer months?

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.

[ardecila]

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.

[Nexis4Jersey]

Any Metra line rebuilds?

[Bronxwood]

Originally Posted by Justin_Chicago

What is Chicago planning? Not nearly enough

The downtown circulator system designed to move commuters from West Loop railroad stations to Michigan Avenue and other points east died in the '90s, Mr. DeVries points out; a West Loop transportation center intended to allow further expansion of downtown's office district is moribund; and hopes of extending the Chicago Transit Authority's Red Line south have been delayed in favor of far more limited initiatives like the budding Bus Rapid Transit network.

Read more: http://www.chicagobusiness.com/artic...#ixzz2RnTKcERD

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.