Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Community Meeting on Thursday to Discuss Cermak Green Line Stop

The new Green Line stop at Cermak has been a hot topic here at Sloopin, so we know everyone would like to know about a meeting notice on the subject on Thursday, March 22nd at 7pm.

Ald. Dowell, the Chicago Transit Authority and the Chicago Department of Housing and Economic Development will be hosting a community meeting to discuss the proposed CTA Green Line Station at Cermak.

Date: Thursday, March 22
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Columbia College, 623 S. Wabash in Room 203

We're going to try to make it, but regardless if anyone goes, please let us know your thoughts.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

someone wake up our alderman and remind him of the meeting.

Anonymous said...

can we turn this into a anti Dowell protest instead? anybody got the occupy chicago peoples numbers? im sure they have nothing else to do

Anonymous said...

Let me beat everyone to it. This part of the south loop is a wasteland . This train will bring more crime and bad people. FEAR FEAR FEAR

Anonymous said...

I'll be there, in protest that this line makes no sense when a Red Line stop is literally less than 3 blocks away. This one needs to be further north, at least on 18th.

18th or BUST, who's with me!?

ImpeachObama said...

Still waiting for a logical explanation as to why millions of dollars need to be spent on this Green Line stop.....

Anonymous said...

im curious who in the neighboorhood is going to appose this...seems like this will only increase foot traffic in a pretty desolate area

Anonymous said...

they did a site survey at 18th and decided buidling a platform wouldnt be possible...i thought that came up at the last meeting?? maybe someone else knows more

Anonymous said...

Can't wait for the green line stop at Cermak.. Motor Row here we go!!

Anonymous said...

There are a MILLION reasons for the city to build at Cermak.. 1. If you have visitors attending McCormick Place who are staying at a hotel downtown, they can take the train there & back. 2. In the future, when more hotels are built in the Cermak cooridor, it will provide those visitors the chance to head downtown. 3. Motor Row - people who live in the city, including those who live in the north side of the South Loop the chance to hop off and head back. 4. As you build hotels, commercial buildings, restaurants, bars.. this provides more TAXES for the city. 5. Cermak still provides easy access for those attending Soldier Field. 6. At 18th - there is still a need for a train stop for those who live between 16th - 18th (you still have plenty of BUS access 3,4,1 and 129), but not much incentive for the city.

Anonymous said...

Won't agree with you on points 4 and 5. 18th is a way better stop for those going to Soldier Field than Cermak, and secondly there is NO good bus access without waiting for a transfer to the central part of the loop during non rush hour times.

Anonymous said...

The person who thinks that a green line stop at Cermak would provide better access to soldier field has no clue what he is talking about! Hello: green line already stops at Roosevelt! Also, if ANY new L stop would be better suited to serve soldier field and the Lakefront it is absolutely, positively, without question 18th street.

Further, what conventioneer would ever "hop on" the green line to get back to his hotel? Whomever made that statement clearly doesn't travel much for work or attend any conventions. Everyone who attends conventions in chicago uses shuttle buses. Which is why 99 percent of all visitors to McCormick Place zoom right past this neighborhoos on their way back to river north and streeterville to spend their $$$.

Anonymous said...

So, why have a meeting for a green line station project at Cermak in the loop? Buehler? Buehler?

NTA, Police station, Columbia College at 16th? Is this further deterant to have anybody show up?

Anonymous said...

I am ok with a Green Line Cermak station if it is tied to a bigger picture plan for the South Loop.
It has always been a South Loop planning goal to add an electric cable car style circulator system complimenting access from say Printers Row to Chinatown over to Motor Row, then to McCormick, back up Wabash or Indiana for lakefront access, all the way to the south end of Grant Park, and return to Printers Row.

We need to plan South Loop as a small city needing nurturing & assets to grow. Many reasons:

1. It can better overlap and connect existing service, while allowing 3 & 4 bus routes to go express.

2. It's cheap to do and creates Real Estate Demand.

3. It's electric base which is much better now.

3. It could create a unique South Loop theme and feel (while being functional for residents) for this area while, kind of like a Toronto, San Diego Gas Lamp, SF, Seattle feel.

4. Transit benefit of tying Blue, Red, Orange, and Green Line at multiple locations (like London, etc). You could go as far east as Lake Shore Drive to create stops there.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dundas-streetcar-and-ago-as-seen-from-near-deconism.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kenosha_Streetcar.jpg

http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/city/downloads/city_pdf17754.pdf

Anonymous said...

Anon 9:16pm - I did not say it is the best option for Soldier Field, my point was that it still provides another option. 18th street bridge is right in the middle. Also, we have only 8 HOME GAMES a year, so it is not worth the millions$$.

Also, you missed the point about hopping on off the green line. When I travel to other cities for conventions, the first time I go, I usually do not venture out too far from the hotel, but the 2nd or 3rd time I am in that same city, I feel more comfortable and use public trans. The hotel bus shuttle ONLY TAKES CARE OF THE 8-5pm crowd, meaning if you were going to venture out in the evening, it is up to you to get back to your hotel. Again, you need to start thinking about the fact that HOTELS are being built near Cermak so conventioneers are close to McCormick.. so for those that are staying at a hotel in that area, but want to go DOWNTOWN for an evening have the Green Line as a great option. Yes, currently people are spending money in Downtown and River North; however people that come to Chicago for convention reasons after their 2nd or 3rd time, do not want to get shuttled and want to go out and eat, drink & stay near McCormick.. (so the reason they need to start getting high-quality venues in motor row also).

Anonymous said...

So ignoring the back and forth bickering going on above, did anybody actually attend this meeting? Care to share if anything useful was actually shared, or was it just the same info we already know?

Anonymous said...

apparently anon @ 1:50 didn't realize the meeting is Thursday. But I am also interested in hearing if anything new comes out of this meeting.

I wont get involved in the above banter, but I am firmly in the camp that believes 18th was the best option for the south loop's future growth.

Anonymous said...

"I did not say it is the best option for Soldier Field, my point was that it still provides another option. 18th street bridge is right in the middle. Also, we have only 8 HOME GAMES a year, so it is not worth the millions$$."

Good to know that Soldier Field is exclusively used by the Bears. I must have been imagining all those other music and sporting events...

Anonymous said...

Like what? U2 concert once a year and a one day soccer event in the summer?! Again, compare this to United Center (Hawks AND Bulls games - they don't even have a stop!! Just to be clear.. I still want an 18th St. stop, but IF it is one or the other, it should be Cermak.

Anonymous said...

anyone check this out

Anonymous said...

Is there any info on what happened at this meeting?

Anonymous said...

...If only online blog debates would transform into actual action.