Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Crack-ers! CTA Working On Wilson El


We couldn't believe it when we saw this photo that a reader sent in. It seems that the CTA is out today working on the Wilson el station. It appears that the cracks in the structure are being patched. Will wonders never cease?

Would it be too crazy to hope that they clean the windows? Remove the graffiti? We could really shoot for the moon and hope that Uptown gets retail in our el stations, just like other parts of the city. But this is a good beginning. Stay tuned.

Update:
We are also wondering what ever came from what was promised in this 2005 press release from the CTA regarding a Wilson L rehab, particularly this section:

"In addition to the design contract, the Board approved lease agreements for three companies running existing retail businesses at the station, American Fast Foods, Inc.; Charles Stempien (Lakeview Foods); and Wilson-Broadway Mall, Inc.

The new agreements will bring an additional $732,687 in rent and capital improvements to the CTA for a period of up to five years or until renovations begin at the Wilson Red Line station. The leases were competitively bid.

As part of its agreement with the CTA, American Fast Foods, Inc., will lease, operate and make capital upgrades on a 3,065-square foot store front located adjacent to the Red Line Wilson station. The vendor will continue to operate a Popeye's Chicken restaurant at this location.

Charles Stempien (Lakeview Foods) will continue to operate a convenience store in a 2,467 square-foot store front located at 4612 N. Broadway. The business recently made capital improvements to the property.

The Wilson-Broadway Mall will make capital upgrades to the store front at 1114 W. Wilson, and will lease and operate Alpha Electronics in the 8,445 square-foot space."

6 comments:

  1. Repairs? Are you sure this isn't workers fulfilling Peter Holsten's statement that there will be a "new L station" in Uptown?

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  2. Maybe I can bring visiting family and friends to the Wilson station without being embarassed or talking about how my neighborhood is "transitioning?"

    Oh...to dream...

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  3. Perhaps having the CTA President taking "da train" from dat Station daily helps?

    In any case it is about time.

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  4. I just got back from that area, and the scaffolding is gone.

    Sigh.

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  5. If there was a single property that could anchor a turn around in Uptown, it is the historical Uptown el station.

    Uptown: Where marble meets urine.

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  6. They were just scraping off the old Popeye's grease...

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