The bus shelter in front of the ICA Building (Institute of Cultural Affairs) at Sheridan and Lawrence has been removed (permanently?). This bus shelter had been a popular loitering spot for folks who used any of the many social services in this neighboring building. We hope this cuts down on the rampant loitering near this corner and in turn helps out the struggling businesses in this retail corridor.
Too bad for people actually riding the bus. Hopefully they too appreciate the reasoning.
ReplyDeleteOh sure, punish the innocent, law-abiding people who have to stand in the rain and snow and summer heat while waiting for a bus, just because of a minority of local crazies. That's the way of the world nowadays...
ReplyDeleteWell lets think this through. If the Shelter is removed and they are going to be doing sidewalk replacement or street scaping on Sheridan, wouldn't it make sense that they removed the shelter to start proceedings on replacement?
ReplyDeleteI am under the feeling that shelter is only removed on a temporary basis as the bus stop at Sheridan and Leland (east side northbound) is all tore up.
I'm sure it will put back into place after what ever work is being done on Sheridan.
BTW. I think the corner of Lawrence and Sheridan in from of S & L is much worse. Drug deals on the corner, police cam doesn't work and cops driving by doesn't stop em. they just do it right in the open.. almost like the city is encouraging this type of activity. Warm weather is only a few months away. I can't wait! Can you?
It's helped already I have noticed.
ReplyDeleteSadly, the people for whom the shelter was intended, commuters waiting for the bus, couldn't get to it, anyway. Maybe someday it can come back. For now, the corner is better off without it. I just love waiting (with my cane or walker) in the snow and rain while people sit drinking in the bus shelter giving me the stinkeye. I'll still have to wait in the elements, but at least I'll feel less resentful about it.
ReplyDeleteOn the old shelter it had a big sign saying "CTA customers only". Ha..
ReplyDeleteThe bench behind the bus stop at Leland and Sheridan was moved. Not sure if it was removed to minimize/eliminate loitering there as well. The concrete area where the bench once stood, in addition to part of the sidewalk at the corner, was also redone.
ReplyDeleteRight before the last election, I recall Helen identifying this stretch as one of the new "pedestrian shopping streets" to keep them pedestrian friendly. Rather than focus on the retail areas needing a lot of help, good ole Helen wanted to focus on areas where there were more social services, so naturally she started in the epicenter of where 90% of the social services are located.
ReplyDeleteExpect Broadway to be ignored. That's our good ole Helen!
Helen actually helped move the bench from in front of the Currency Exchange at Broadway and Wilson to where the bus stop actually is after input from the 2311 CAPS Meeting.
ReplyDeleteShe got it done pretty damn quick. Like 3 days.
Maybe someone mentioned it already, but couldn't they leave the shelter but take out the seating? It's the seating that is attractive to the loiterers, right? If just the shelter is there it could still be used by people waiting for the bus.
ReplyDeleteAs long as not drinking and acting in improper manner -should have been left for everyones use.
ReplyDeleteNo, Molbop, in Uptown the bus shelters have signs saying that they're for the use of CTA customers only. They're private property.
ReplyDelete