Storm-Beaten Medical District Blue Line Station Will Be Renovated

By Stephen Gossett in News on Aug 10, 2016 7:36PM

Rendering of Ogden Ave. stationhouse / Courtesy CTA

The 50-plus-year-old Illinois Medical District Blue Line Station was in need of an upgrade even before a severe thunderstorm collapsed a portion of the platform's overhang last month. Now, it looks like the CTA stop will receive those long-awaited renovations, according to an announcement on Wednesday from Mayor Emanuel and CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. The plan had been in the works since at least last year.

According to a press release, the $23 million TIF-funded plan will target each of the station’s three entrances: the two secondary entries—at Damen Avenue, Paulina Street and—and the central stationhouse at Ogden Avenue. The city released renderings of the envisioned rebuilt Ogden entrance, pictured above. Planned improvements include added lightning, security cameras, transit tracker displays, and restorations to that nastily force-majeure’ed canopy.

“The Illinois Medical District is one of the largest medical centers in our nation, serving four major hospitals and thousands of patients, students and employees every day,” Emanuel said in the release. “By investing in CTA stations like this one that provides access to health care and jobs for thousands of Chicagoans, we are creating a world-class transit system that better serves our city and those who come here.”

Construction will begin in September. The CTA expects renovations to be complete late next year. The station will stay open during the project, although riders may encounter temporary closures of some entryways.

The news is the latest in a recent spate of proposed CTA improvements and renovations, including a makeover of the historic Green Line Garfield Station announced last month, and a massive upgrade of the 95th Street Terminal, made official to the public in June.