New Wilson Red Line Stationhouse Officially Opens

By Emma G. Gallegos in News on Oct 23, 2017 6:21PM

on Monday the CTA officially unveiled its newest stationhouse at the Wilson Red Line station in Uptown. The $203 million project has made the CTA station more modern, accessible and functional in the CTA system since it was kicked off in 2014, officials say.

The whole station and its tracks have been revamped. The new main stationhouse is located on the south side of Wilson avenue, but there is also a second new entrance on the north side of Wilson. The station is more accessible to everyone: there are two elevators, two escalated, the stairwells have been widened and there are more turnstiles. There's also a second new and larger platform for Northbound trains.

Service has been improved, too. Riders can now easily transfer between the Red and Purple lines here for the first time, so Uptown riders can easily hop on to a train with express service into downtown.

The station looks really nice, and it has new canopies that provide better shelter against the elements. It has a new piece of public art by Cecil Balmond:

New enhancements at Wilson @CTA station include public art by world-renowned artist Cecil Balmond. https://t.co/94UZWdga17 #2017isYOPA pic.twitter.com/YhtCSB4AmH

— Mayor Rahm Emanuel (@ChicagosMayor) October 23, 2017

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and CTA officials touted the new station not just as a boon for CTA riders but for the neighborhood. In a statement, Emanuel said, "By rebuilding this station, we are investing in this historic and vibrant neighborhood, creating new jobs in the community, and ensuring a modern and reliable transit system for Chicago's residents."

Here's Emanuel this morning:

Our investment in the Wilson Station is the latest in our work to deliver a 21st Century transit system for Chicago. https://t.co/94UZWdga17 pic.twitter.com/07eVcmPIld

— Mayor Rahm Emanuel (@ChicagosMayor) October 23, 2017

Ald. James Cappleman says that new businesses have been opening up in anticipation of the station's update, and there are new residences planned, too. But there's one important vacancy: the Jazz Age Gerber Building at Broadway and Wilson is going to be restored by the city but it still has yet to find a tenant. (The Chicago Market, a co-op, has expressed interest.)

The project, largely funded by the state, is scheduled to be fully complete in January. When it's finished there will also be a third station entrance on Sunnyside Avenue.

Related:
Photos: A Rare Glimpse Of The Historic Wilson Red Line Station Amid Construction
The CTA Wilson Stop Has A Bright, New Stationhouse; Take A Look At Its Vintage Past