New Chicago Union Station CTA bus transit center

[neroden]

Regardless of what they're saying right now, if they get a high-level platform they'll definitely put the LSL and Cardinal at it. The ADA will allow nothing less; they'd get in trouble for routinely stopping the train at a low-level platform when they had a high-level platform -- or *four* -- functioning and underused. The baggage cars can get through by the tedious method of using the grade crossings; one of the high-level platforms has a ramp down to grade.

 

[brianpmcdonnell17]

Regardless of what they're saying right now, if they get a high-level platform they'll definitely put the LSL and Cardinal at it. The ADA will allow nothing less; they'd get in trouble for routinely stopping the train at a low-level platform when they had a high-level platform -- or *four* -- functioning and underused. The baggage cars can get through by the tedious method of using the grade crossings; one of the high-level platforms has a ramp down to grade.

Also, by the time this gets built the only trains using high level boarding should be the LSL, Cardinal/HS, and Hiawatha.

 

[MisterUptempo]

Just after days after the Union Station Transit Center opens, a new proposal is announced that could knock the transit center and the Amtrak parking garage out of commission for a long time. From today's Crain's Chicago Business, found at the following URL-

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/20160908/CRED03/160909861/proposed-tower-at-union-station-would-be-on-of-citys-tallest

Invoking Fair Use-

Sterling Bay is proposing a skyscraper connected to Union Station that would become one of the city's tallest, as the Chicago-based developer vies for the assignment to redevelop real estate owned by Amtrak.

The firm wants to build a 958-foot-tall, 2 million-square-foot office tower alongside the massive transit facility in the West Loop and is already in talks with tenants large enough to kick off the project, Sterling Bay Managing Director Andy Gloor said today.

-snip-

Last October, Amtrak announced plans for upgrades to the existing building and said it would seek out information from developers interested in becoming the master developer to build up to 3 million square feet of new structures over and around tracks and land it owns.

-snip-

Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari today declined to comment on Sterling Bay's plan or whether the firm is a finalist but said Amtrak plans to announce a short list of developers soon.

Image Source - chicagobusiness.com

This building, if built, would be located at the southwest corner of Canal and Jackson, the site of the Amtrak garage and the new transit center. Amtrak's plans for that land included the possibility of expanding the transit center as part of any new structure built there. Perhaps the revenue generated from either a land sale or development rights could be used to pay for improvements to the station, including the long-term plans of a new intercity station, either at 300 S. Riverside or 222 S. Riverside. One hopes that if they go with this plan, it could be executed during this development cycle.

 

[SarahZ]

It looks like a giant cheese grater. :angry:

 

[Metra Electric Rider]

It looks like a giant cheese grater. :angry:

Maybe Kraft, I mean Mondeleez, is moving there?

Actually, looks like a newer building already built in London, but less technically and aesthetically interesting.

 

[MisterUptempo]

It looks like a giant cheese grater. :angry:

It may also just be a placeholder. That design looks very similar to a proposal made for 625 W. Monroe

Image Source - chicagoarchitecture.org

Amtrak is still considering development offers from different firms. Perhaps this announcement was Sterling Bay's way of calling attention to its proposal, without having all the details fleshed out.

 

[SarahZ]

Oh, so it's like the Sims. Got it.

 

[Metra Electric Rider]

Funny thing is I associate Sterling Bay with residential development more than office, though I think that may be incorrect. It was just mentioned last night on Chicago Tonight (local PBS news show) that we have 45 or so building classified as "high-rise" under construction at the moment in Chicago and about another 50 in the pipeline!